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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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<-. 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historlques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 
D 
D 

D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


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D 
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10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


2LA 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


n 


32X 


re 

Idtails 
BS  du 
modifier 
Br  une 
filmage 


les 


I 


'  errata 
d  to 


e  pelure, 
;on  d 


^ 


n 


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The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
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f<image. 

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plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
origlnaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
pramidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'lmpresslon  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  Image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ,  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Stre 
film6s  d  dek>  taux  de  reduction  dlff6rents. 
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reproduit  en  un  seul  cllch6,  11  est  film*  d  partir 
de  I'angle  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Jmages  ndcessalre.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 


32X 


¥j 


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that 
talne 
Polo 


5 


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/ 


(i 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


AN  AUTOBIOGBAPHY. 


EDITET)  IIT 


JOHN  MORRIS. 


"And  wo  wlU  put  down  the  things  we  havo  seen  as  seen,  and  the  things  we  have 
heard  as  heard,  in  order  that  our  book  may  be  honest  and  true,  without  any  Ue,  and 
that  every  one  that  mny  rend  or  hear  this  book  may  believe  it ;  for  all  things  it  con- 
tains are  true."— ifeciMiJ  de«  Toyagei  df,  la  Societi  df  Oeographie.— Voyage  de  Mareo 
PoU). 


i^H^ 


NEW  YORK: 
PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR, 


..  .     ftfjf^^ 


H  1/&  •/  / 
,d)3 


S 


ICntorod  ncooriling  to  Aot  of  rongrcss,  in  tliojonr  IPTI),  liy 

J  O  n  X    II  O  IJ  lU  S , 

In  tlio  OfTu'c  of  the  Libraritin  of  Congress,  at  Wnsliington,  D.  C. 


iNxnom 

Eabi.v 

Early 

PllOFES 

TheCi 

CaI'TAI 

DU'Lo: 

MAjOI 

Faro 
Depa 
Pdan 

VTnF. 

OSTl 

The 

"W^AS 
IJiVI 
iNCt 


/6  '/  /  S 


^"'i 


T'; 


^ 


CONTENTS. 


ISTRODUCTOnY 

Eabi.y  Days 

Early  Days 

PllOFESSION 

ThbClcb 

Cai'taik  William  Smith 

du'lomacy 

Majoii  Geoiigb  Jenks 

Faro 

Departubb 

Phastomb  of  the  Memory 

"WnEELINO 

OS  TO  ElCHMOSn 

TheHobsb 

■Washinhtgn'  City 

Ixvextors  

INCIJBI 

J  Shaupers 


C HATTER   I. 
CUAI'TEB   II. 
CnATTER  III. 
CHAPTEK    IV. 
CIIAi'TETl    V. 
CHATTER    VI. 
CHAPTER   VII. 
CHAPTER   VIII. 
CHAPTER   IX. 
CHAPTER    X. 
CHAPTER   XI. 
CHAPTER    XII. 
CHAPTER    XIII. 
CHAPTER    XIV. 
CHAPTER   XV. 
CHAPTER    XVI. 
CHAPTER    XVII. 


5 

9 

IB 

81 

87 
.  30 
.  37 
.  47 
.  56 
..  75 
..  64 


.IOC 
.112 
..140 
..156 
..180 
..187 


4  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XV  III.                                       P*"" 
SCKNU  AT  LONO  BBAMCn ''''' 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

Bkcond-Cla«8  Skinnwo-Hoises 207 

CHAPTER   XX. 

BnARrERS ** 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

BlOQUAl-niCAL  Sketcuks "'*^ 

CHAPTER   XXII. 

NkwYohk ^^ 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 

BtivARiNn  Accorars "^"^ 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

In  THE  LOCK-UP ^^ 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

BOXRRS ^^'^ 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 

Pkhskcution ^^ 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 

FnKJUDICBS '^^ 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

Wolf-Thai-8 ^^* 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 

"WoLr-TKAVa— Continued •. S^B 

CHAPTER   XXX. 

Sbabf  Practice ^*' 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 

Lexington  Races ^86 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

TbbFugbt ^"^ 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

The  MI88IBSIFFI *^3 

CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

Siver  Sharpers *^ 

CHAPTER   XXXV. 

Three-Card  Monte  Throwers <35 

CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

The  Hoo-Drovek *** 

CHAPTER   XXXVII. 

Mobile *^ 

CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 

A  "Nigger  IN  the  Fence." *^ 

CHAPTER   XXXIX. 
The  "Nigger "  gets  Out *^^ 


II 

tbau 

more 

beau 

■with 

the 

beai 

and 

the 

in  t 

hea 

Bill 
uut 

ear 

the 

mil 

of] 

sue 

ess 

ne' 

on 

en 

bo 

an 

pi 

ar 


P«o«. 
. .  l'J7 

..207 

.  .S21 

..an 

..262 
..280 
..285 
..310 
..321 
..  335 
..354 
. . .366 
...380 
...386 
...401 
...413 
...428 
...435 
...444 
...458 
...463 
....481 


INTRODUCTORY. 


"  The  castlod  crnR  of  Draolionffils  _ 

Frowuii  o'er  the  wiUo  and  winding  RUuio. 

with  highly-cultivated  funiiH,  vincyarcls,  cl"»ehi;s  ull.  s  ana 
Thfp  a  ial  residenccB  of  tho  nohility.  Beneath  h.mhes  the 
beaut  nivillago  of  Melheim,  to  the  left  the  ru.na  of  foll^f ««?'' 
mid  the  islands  of  Nonnerswcrth  and  Oberwinter  to  tho  right 
the  ruius  of  Godesburg,  and,  farther  on,  the  eity  of  Bonn,  whi  e 
S  the  dii  distance  the  cathedral  spires  of  Cologne  point  to 

^'ITtho  oye  turns  from  tho  river  the  scene  is  entirely  changed 
Billt  e'evat'ed  above  hills,  in  endless  Bucces^on  of  pyramids, 
until  tho  eve  turns  for  relief  to  the  beautiful  Rhine. 

Tl^^  Rhino!    Tho  German's  fairy-land!    His  heaven  upon 

earth '  Tl  e   emi-barbarous  hordes  who,  centuries  ago,  mhabi  ed 

Se  castles. hose  picturesque  -ins  strike  the  traveler  wthad^ 

miration  and  delight,  are  to  him  familiar       nc^-    ^b^^^f^ 

ite  ^^chiUy.  Truly,  ^^^^^^^^^^^ 
SHLSSir ^S  i^-=3^ity  in  the^.J.s 
enclosed  by  them,  had  no  rights  which  they  l^«f  t^j^^J^^^^ 
bouBd  to  respect.  '"  Might  made  rig^,"  according  othe.rcr^^^^^^ 

and  their  scanty  flocks  were  I'-^^d  "f  ^^^  "°  ^  S 
pleasure,  and  evc.i  their  wives  and  daughters  t«™  f ;™  f .^j^^ 
arms  to  gratify  the  brutal  lust  of  tueh:  masters.    Such  were  the 


6 


IJJTROUICTOUV. 


Ulionisli  liorocs,  whoso  (loo<lf(  arc  I  ho  tlionio  of  ports,  liistoii- 
iiiis,  and  wrilcrs  of  roiiiancc,  and  «hii.;c  uia-iiilicriit  I'aiihs, 
ciiihlazoiied  with  llich-  \iitii('s,  adorn  many  nl'  tho  tcniplcs  alunj^ 
tho  hanks  of  tho  Ifliino,  wliiln  tho  rnins  of  tlioh-  fouchil  pahiccs 
N'lill  dot  the  hanks  of  tliat  lioanliful  wtrinun.  inoiuiiiicntsof  rapino 
and  oi»ini'.ssio!i. 

From  Bonn  to  Manhcim  thf  scenery  i.s  at  times  wild  and 
startling;,  tlieu  us  serenely  heautiful  as  one  of  Claude  Lorraine's 
cvciiinj?  scenes. 

Unt  the  hand  of  man  has  done  as  much  to  heautify  tho  sco- 
nei-y  along  tho  Rhino  as  tho  hand  of  natnro.  Improved  arclii- 
tecturo  has  given  to  tho  dwellers  on  tho  hanks  of  this  storied 
river,  luoro  coniinodious  and  niodcM-n,  if  loss  picturcs([uo  dwell- 
ings, than  thoso  formerly  occupied  hy  their  robhcr  chieftains, 
and  tho  wayfarer  is  now  shellorcd  In  ele,i;antly-appointed  hotels, 
instoiid  of  being  tho  guc'^t  of  lordly  barons,  and  is  i)lundered 
after  tho  most  approved  modern  fashion.  No  impolite  demand 
for  "  your  moncjy  or  your  life,"  accompanied  with  an  argument 
in  tho  shape  of  a  sword,  lanc(>,  or  battle-axe.  Matters  are 
arranged  in  a  nmch  moro  polished  .stylo  in  these  civilized  days. 
Mine  host  presents  his  bill  v*  ith  tho  courtly  bow  of  the  Mexican 
robber  while  inviting  a  padre  on  tho  road  to  disgorge.  lie  is 
careful  to  wait  until  tho  luggage  of  his  guest  is  on  tho  cart,  and 
tho  carriage  waits  to  convey  him  to  the  steamer  or  railway  sta- 
tion, lie  then  presents  his  bill  of  costs.  'Tis  of  no  uso  to  haggle 
over  tho  items;  as  soon  would  the  robber  chieftains  of  old  abate 
one  jot  or  tittle  of  their  demand,  as  the  smiling  host  who  so 
suavely  insists  on  his  ''bond,"  even  to  the  uttermost  farthing. 

No  grander  treat  can  be  given  to  the  denizens  of  tho  over- 
crowded cities  of  London,  Paris,  or  St.  Petersburg,  than  a  trip 
through  tho  mountains  of  Switzerland  and  along  tho  Khine. 
Tho  scenery  of  Prance,  England,  and  Ilussia,  is  tamo  in  compar- 
ison, and  they  are  ravished  with  delight  on  first  bchoiding  this 
storied  river.  Have  not  Byron,  Scott,  and  many  othc-a,  immor- 
talized its  scenic  beauties,  both  in  song  and  prose  / 

But  the  Irishman  can  find  as  pleasing  scenery  along  his  ovra 
beautiful  Shannon,  and  Switzerland  nor  Italy  has  nothing  to 
compare  with  tho  charming  Lakes  of  Killarney.  Even  the  Scot 
need  not  desert  his  native  mountains  for  thoso  of  other  coun- 
tries, and  the  American,  who  crosses  tho  most  dangerous  ocean 


in  th 

tiiieii 

the  I 

He 

Khiii 

I 

a  lit  a 

and 

Cru; 

the 

surr 

grai 

duel 

tho 

r 

Yuc 

unli 
izec 
ofv 
tho 
pro 
ran 

tho 
roti 

dui 

Th 
di\ 
as 
thi 

BOI 

foi 
thi 
ca 
nu 
en 


DOts,  histoii- 

icciit  t'iiiihs, 
riiiplcs  jildiii^ 
iitliil  piiluci'rt 
'Ills  of  rapino 

les  wild  and 
lo  Lorruiiiu'd 

itily  tlio  Rco- 
lovcd  arclii- 

tbis  storied 
csnuo  dwell- 
er chieftaiiia, 
lintcd  holds, 
la  i)lunil('i'ed 
>lito  demand 
111  ari(i!iiieiit 
Mattens  arc 
ivilized  days, 
the  Mexican 
oygo.  lie  is 
ho  cart,  and 
'  railway  sta- 
iso  to  hag,i,do 
of  old  al)ato 
host  who  so 
t  farthinfj. 

of  the  over- 
,  than  a  trip 
:  the  Khino. 
0  in  compar- 
jhoiding  this 
lies,  i  tumor- 
long  his  own 
i  nothing  to 
iven  the  Scot 
'  other  coim- 
i^erous  ocean 


iNTKonrcTORV.  7 

in  tlio  world  to  bcliold  the  bcauliex  and  wonders  of  another  con- 
tinent, leaves  behind  lii.u  scenes  as  kimihI  and  heaiUiful  along 
the  npp<;r  Mississippi,  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  grout  luJies. 
Ho  will  not  I'nid  his  native  Hudson  snrpassed,  even  by  tho 
Khine,  nor  lakes  in  llurope  more  cliarming  than  Saint  (Jeorge. 

The  d-.vellers  on  tlio  western  raiigo  of  tho  Andes  can  well 
afford  to  look  with  indilVerenco  on  tho  scenery  of  Switzerland, 
and  a  snort  sea  \-oyi>,-"  "''  t'""''"  ^I'ly*^-  *"''"'"  ^'*'^^'  *hleans  to  Vera 
Cruz,  and  a  forty  miles  journey,  over  one  of  the  finest  roads  in 
the  world,  to  tho  city  of  Jalapa,  and  the  traveler  finds  himself 
Burrounded  by  sceneiy  inisurpassed  on  tho  face  of  tho  earth  for 
grandeur  and  sublimity,  and  where  all  the  climates  and  pro- 
ductions of  tho  world  can  bo  embraced  in  a  siuglo  glauco  from 
tho  mount aiii-sido  above  Jalapa. 

Tho  seeker  after  aiiticpiities  may  continue  his  journey  to 
Yucatan,  where  once  flourished  a  now  extinct  and  almost  totally 
unknown  raco  of  beings,  believed  to  have  been  as  highly  civil- 
ized as  tlio  peojile  of  Assyria  and  Ancient  Egypt,  and  the  ruins 
of  whoso  once  splendid  temples  and  cities  ho  will  find,  amongst 
tho  tropical  forests  of  Misantla  and  J'apantla,  and  which  *vill 
prove  as  interesting  to  liim  as  climbing  tlie  pyramids  of  Egypt  or 
rambling  among  tho  musty  tombs  of  ^dciiiphis  or  of  Thebes. 

It  is  now,  however,  only  fashionable  for  Americans  to  make 
tho  "tower  of  Oorop,"  and  up  tho  Nile  to  tho  Holy  Land,  and  to 
return  tlioroughly  disgusted  with— cverything-Araericau. 

La  Belle  lliviere,   or  the  Ohio,  was  once  a  favorite  resort 
during  tho  summer  months.    It  is,  indeed,  a  beautiful  stream ! 
Tho  lovely  valleys  and  rounded  hills,  into  which  its  banks  are 
diversified,  present  to  the  eye  a  ouccession  of  verdure  so  varied 
as  to  at  onco  attract  the  lover  of  beautiful  scenery.     For  more 
than^ix  hundred  miles  tho  eye  is  momentarily  presented  with 
Boraething  now  to  feed  upon.    It  has  not,  indectl,  the  ruined 
castles  and  churches,  tho  terraced  vineyards  and  frowning  cliffs, 
for  whicl'  tho  romantic  Rhine  is  celebrated,  but,  at  every  turn  of 
tho  river,  finely-cultivated  farms,  thriving  orchards,  herds  of 
cattle,  sheep,  and  horses,  "  on  a  thousand  hills,"  with  an  endless 
number  of  towns,  cities,  and  villages,  teeming  with  a  restless  and 
energetic  people. 

Twcntv  years  ago  the  charming  scenery  of  the  Ohio  was  the 
theme  of  painters  and  tourists  who  moved  over  its  gentle  waters, 


Si 

'I 


'.'; 


1| 


y^i 


rsTKoDt'croRT. 


find  enjoyed  Its  over-cliaiiKlnK  sroiiery  fi'oni  the  decks  of  piilntlnl 
Htcaiuors  which  siip[)liod  to  the  triivolor  every  luxury  of  a  first- 
cliVMs  hotel. 

IJut  niihoiids  have  HuporHech-d  tliis  once  deliKhtriil  route,  and 
the  beiuiticH  of  this  most  lovely  river  care  left  to  an  oceasiuiiid 
wandering  tv)urist,  the  dweller  on  its  banks,  or  the  boatmuu  who 
hiburs  along  it»  lrau(inil  waters. 


^\. 


^1 


P 


Ol 


» of  palatini 
J-  (if  II  llrst- 

l  route,  iiiid 
I  occasiiiiial 
)atiuuu  who 


^;iw«iit-»iiO''->i*'«— " 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  YAGAUOND. 


f" 


CHAPTER    I. 

KAUIA'    DAYS. 


baKKlin«  over  tho  q.ior y,  ^^'^.^'^^'7,7,  ''.'h,,  ^^.  no  rontrol 
a  fortunate  event,  or  otherwise  t.  ^  '^  f^V  ^^^^^^  tho  ..rtho- 
or  choieoln  thdr  -"  J"-™:?^:^,;^     ^^  r^.^  tho  beginning 

s,:rMCSivr:;;,"n,,^;:.o.uteteruau 

after,  n.r  the  "  clee.ls  .hmo  ^  ^J  >  •  „,,„y  ^^^ 

There  is,  ha«  hoen,  a  id  aUva>8  v,      •  o 

believe  birth  to  be  a  ^^'^]Ji:}Z^^oi  outrageous 
upon  this  earth  to  endure     the  h1  ngs  .ml  an  ^^ 

fortune,  and  the  thousand  ^^^^ S^!^^^fl^^  ,^ 

to  leave  it  for  that  raU.er  ui.eerta m  locaM    v^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

dieth  not,  and  the  lire  is  not  qu  ml    d  J^     'j';^/  ;j,,^^    ,,;,,^^  ,„d 

is  too  deep  for  me,  ""^/.^^IJ^^  w^h  tC  -vie  wasled  much 
wrangling  priests  a  subject  on  ^"^^  ^'^^^    ,     ^..^^f    Of  this 
argument,  without  arriving  «\"     .  ^^^^  i     -^^^ 
(to  me)  important  fact,  1  ^f^^^"^^^^  fortune  or 

s^:s-pr;is  f^o-^^j^Sh  t:ttx^^:^ 

dream. 


i'^ 


•.%- 


10 


■WANDEmXGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


If  I  nm  sorry  for  anytliiii.ir,  II,  ''■  tliat  llio  tlicmo  on  wliicb  I 
■write  is  not  in  ir.oro  a))le  luuuls.  l?ut  ihc  sulijoct  is  witliin  tlio 
knowledge  of  but  few  ;  ;uiil  of  those  few  persons,  I  do  noi  know 
of  one  any  more  capable  of  writing  a  Look  upon  the  subject  tlian 
myself.  Therefore,  wiiatever  may  be  its  diffcts,  let  them  be  at- 
tributed rather  to  the  lack  of  education  than  lack  of  truth. 

Forty  years  ago  the  town  of  ISInrietta  was  a  thriving  place, 
depending  mostly  on  the  rich  farming  country  by  which  it  was 
surrounded,  and  numbered  a  population  of  fifteen  hundred  souls. 
It  contained  two  flour  mills,  a  foundry,  and,  as  it  was  the  county 
Beau,  a  brick  court-house  and  jail. 

A  fmo  little  wharf,  paved  in  with  cobble-stones,  adorned  the 
city  front,  and  atforded  acconnnodalion  to  the  steamlioats, 
trading-boats,  keol-boats,  and'  all  the  various  river-craft  that 
plied  on  the  waters  of  the  placid  Ohio. 

The  little  town  could  boast  also  of  fourdilTcrcnt  religious  sects, 
for  the  godly  lived  in  Sfarietta. 

The  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  had  each  a  small  brick 
church ;  while  the  Catl<olics  and  Baptists  had  each  a  less  preten- 
tious temple,  to  wit,  a  small  frame  building. 

As  for  as  my  recoil  i3ction  goes,  the  four  religions  denominations, 
or  at  least  their  members,  jogged  on  pretty  peaceably  together, 
bp.iTingtho  Tjsr.al  amount  of  backbiting,  "hate,  envy,  and  allun- 
charitablenesi.,"  to  be  found  generally  among  Christian  sects, 
and  all  other  c6.;ts,  I  suppose,  who  imagine  their  way  the  only 
right  one,'  and  their  road  to  heaven  the  only  legitimate  one. 

In  our  town  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  were  the  ruling 
powers,  much  inclined  to  Puritanism  in  their  notions,  and  with  a 
disposition  to  ir.lo  sinners  by  whip  and  spur. 

None  but  the  godly  could  hold  any  oirico  in  Marietta. 

Groggeries,  bowling  .saloons,  billiard  tables,  and  other  abom- 
inations of  "the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil,"  were  not  tolera- 
ted, and  the  individual  who  desired  to  slake  his  thirst  in  a 
draught  of  "  red  eye,"  or  any  other  alcfiholic  fluid,  was  obliged  to 
call  at  the  bar  of  the  "Old  Hickory  Tavern." 

This  venerable  structure  was  a  two-story  house,  built  of  logs, 
with  a  curfew  cupola  on  the  top,  from  whence  the  alarm  was 
sounded,  whic^  told  the  patrons  of  the  "Old  Uickoiy"  when  their 
meals  were  ready. 

As  was  customary  in  those  days,  a  tall  sign-post  stood  in 


41  miiM^int^jae»mm»»titK 


no  on  wliicb  I 
t  is  witliiii  tlio 
I  do  no:  know 
[ic  subject  than 
ct  thorn  be  iit- 
of  truth, 
thrivins  placo, 
y  which  it  was 
hunch'od  souls, 
ivas  the  county 

s,  adorned  the 

0  steanilioats, 
iver-craft  that 

religious  sects, 

a  small  brick 

1  a  less  pretcn- 

dc  nominations, 
cably  together, 
ivy,  and  all  un- 
christian sects, 
r  way  the  only 
imatc  one. 
vere  the  ruling 
3ns,  and  with  a 

rietta. 

id  other  abom- 

rero  not  tolcra- 

liis  thirst  in  a 

was  obliged  to 

3,  built  of  logs, 
the  alarm  was 
(ry"w'hcn  their 

i-post  stood  in 


r.AKLT  PAYS. 


11 


ornamented  with  a  poiti.iual  "i'^^';"  military  style, 

Sdugrs  for  the  accommodation  cf  their  g"^^^^^' '^J^^^f  f  ^^^^^ 

am      xclngo  whiskey-dispensing  for  P-l-^S-fnaUer  vl" 

finn  llv  crivon  UP  as  irrevocably  damned.    Ho  took  tl  o  matter  very 

!  i,nwov.  r  for  one  in  his  perilous  situation,  and  oven  seemed 

easy,  however,  for  one  uiu  j^j^^^i^dge  that  much  good 

ir^l^t^  sam^bStlith  him,  re^conciled  him  to  his 
foTFfor  in  even  so  holy  a  place  aa  Marietta,  were  many  jolly 

SfJ^Sn  ^SU- godly  townsmen,  who  con.,^^ 
flverv  mio  irremediably  lost,  who,  under  any  circumstance,  what- 
Tv  r  v^t  d  a  borse-Le,  cock-light,  bull-bait,  tlie  bar-room  of 
the  Old  Hickory,  or  so  much  as  handled  a  pack  of  cards^ 

For  a TcoT;  far  west,  and  so  much  frequented  by  boatni™, 
MiSt  a  had  more  than  her  share  of  puritanical  tyranny.    But 
fn    hosed^vs  this  snrtof  oppression  had  spread  its  influence 
^X  ta  Sm  lliores  of  k';  England  to  the  confines  of  west- 
em  civilization,  and  made  itself  heavily  felt  in  nearly  all  .ao 

'"CJurSns  wielded  the  law-making  power  of  the  country, 


12 


"WAXDERIITGS   JF  A  VAGACOi'D. 


and  could  they  but  h.avc  effectually  carried  out  their  designs,  ^»e 
should  now  bo  borne  back  to  the  good  old  days  of  Cotton  Mather. 

For  many  j'ears  they  held  this  jjowcr,  but  the  uniuly  spirits 
of  the  land,  more  ettpecially  in  our  large  cities  and  many  of  tho 
important  towns  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States,  revolted 
against  their  arbitrary  and  despotic  acts,  and  prevented  them 
from  being  enforced. 

But  if  Puritanism  received  a  check  in  that  direction,  it  still 
held  unlimited  sway  over  what  is  called  "society." 

"  Society"  shut  its  doors  in  the  faces  of  those  who  dared 
dispute  its  somber  teachings,  or  enjoy  life  contrary  to  its  rigid 
and  uncompromising  rules. 

Exceptions  were  of  course  made  in  favor  of  the  unmarried  sons 
of  the  wealthy.  Their  infidelities  could  be  tolerated  until  suita- 
ble wives  could  be  provided  for  them  from  among  tho  faithful, 
and  they  could  thereby  bo  brought  into  the  godly  .fold. 

Money  has  the  same  powerful  intluence  over  tho  opinions  of 
the  rigid  moralist  that  it  holds  over  those  of  the  most  hardened 
and  villainous. 

That  salutary  laws  are  necessary  to  check  the  growth  of  im- 
morahty,  protect  the  interests  of  tho  people,  and  curb  vice  within 
bounds,  is  unquestionable ;  but  whenever  such  power  has  been 
placed  in  the  Jiands  of  Puritanism,  it  has  been  used  IV..'  sectarian 
aggrandisement,  and  eventually  has  degenerated  into  intoler- 
ance and  oppression. 

However  despotic  and  brutal  may  have  been  tho  means  used 
by  Peter  the  great,  to  bring  his  subjects  into  a  more  ad\i-nced 
state  of  civilization,  ho  was  certainly  tho  greatest  practical  re- 
former of  those  mentioned  in  history. 

He  partially  succeeded  in  reforming  tho  morals  of  his  people, 
in  the  face  of  the  most  hostile  opposition  of  an  intolerant  and 
bigoted  clergy ;  but  not  before  he  had  curbed  the  power  and  re- 
formed tho  morals  of  tho  clergy  themselves. 

That  tha  morals  and  social  condition  of  the  people  of  iheso 
United  States  have  undergone  a  remarkable  change,  within  the 
last  thirty  years,  no  one  will  dispute.  Rampant  rowdyism  and 
drunkenness  is  not  nearly  so  prevalent  as  at  that  period. 

In  my  boyhood,  a  fourth  of  July,  St.  Patrick's  day,  a  general 
muster,  or  even  a  camp-meeting,  thr.t  pasbed  without  the  average 
amount  of  fighting  having  taken  place,  was  a  thing  unheard  of. 


E 

ani( 
pro 

\ 
oft 
was 
tov> 
jus 

I 
cor 
cit; 
Ko 

CO] 

nu 
su 
sei 

in 

bi 
nc 
m 

lo 
tc 
tl 


P 
k 
a 
t 
i 


)tton  Mather, 
iniuly  spirits 
many  of  tho 
tos,  revolted 
vented  them 

iction,  it  still 

)  who  dared 
Y  to  its  rigid 

niaiTicd  sons 
[1  until  suita- 
tho  faithful, 
lid. 

3  opinions  of 
ost  hardened 

rowth  of  im- 
•b  vice  within 
n-er  has  been 
fi.:'  sectarian 
into  intoler- 

mcans  used 
re  ad\i-nccd 
practical  rc- 

if  his  people, 
tolerant  and 
ower  and  ve- 

)ple  of  vheso 

o,  within  the 

iwdyisro  and 

;riod. 

ly,  a  general 

t  the  average 

'  unheard  of. 


EAKLT   PiVTo. 


13 


Each  city,  town,  and  village  had  its  bullies,  who  were  esteemed, 
among  a  certain  class  of  their  townsmen,  in  proportion  to  their 
prowess  in  "free  lights." 

Whenever  tlu-so  worthies  met,  at  any  public  gathering,  a  light 
of  some  sort  was  the  inevitable  consequence.  If  one  could  not,  as 
^vas  preferable,  be  arranged  with  the  champions  ol  some  rn-al 
town,  their  "dernier  resort"  was  a  "set-to"  among  tbemsel^es, 
just  to  keep  thcar  hands  in. 

In  those  davs,  lighting  was  p-nudar  with  tho  masses,  and  the 
contests  of  their  gladiators  were  to  them  as  interesting  and  ex- 
citing as  were  those  which  took  place  in  the  arena  of  ancient 

^Te'tween  tC^'l.artisan  bullies,  that  which  begun  in  single 
combat  was  freqintly  Joined  by  the  friends  ot  both  parties, 
numbering  sometimes  fifty  or  more,  and  a  free  flght  was  the  re- 
sXand  a  fortunate  thing  wa,  it  if  it  ended  in  nothmg  more 
eerious  than  black  eyes,  bloody  noses,  and  cracked  &,iulls. 

0  organized  police  there  was  none  worthy  tho  name,  even 
in  our  large  cities;  and  if  a  constable,  .beriff,  or  any  other  oflieer 
presumed  to  interpose  his  authority  to  preserve  the  peace  or 
break  up  a  fight,  his  interference  was  considered  highly  imperti- 
nent, and  as  an  infringement  of  his  rights  of  amusement  which 
no  son  of  liberty  would  for  a  moment  tolerate. 

Nor  was  this  roughness  of  character  confined  entirely  to  the 
lower  daases ;  even  the  wealthy,  and,  I  am  sorry  to  add,  educa- 
ted portion  of  the  people,  did  not  consider  it  beneath  them  to  be 
the  aiders  and  abettors  of  rowdyism. 
Even  our  lirst-class  colleges  were  but  little  less  than  schools 

''^'niTamusements  of  the  scions  of  the  aristocracy  consisted  in 
playing  excceding.y  peisoral  practical  jokes,  wrenching  off 
knockers  and  bell-handles,  knocking  down  infirm  watchmen, 
and  a  constant  succession  of  fights  with  the  young  men  of  the 
town  or  those  of  rival  colleges,  which  not  unfrequently  resuUed 
in  death  to  some,  and  disfigurement  for  life  to  many  more. 

Amon'^  the  weaKhv  and  cultured  classes  punctiliousness  was 
mistaken  for  polittniess.  and  their  haughty  and  patronizing  man- 
ner towards  their  p.orer  and  more  ignorant  neighbcn-s  was  near- 
Ty  unbearable,  and  must,  in  time,  have  led  to  ^  Woody  social 
revolution,  had  it  not  been  for  our  extensive  terntoiy,  and  the 


» 


14 


■VTAXDERIXr.S  OF  A  VAGAHOXD. 


immense  tide  of   Europcnii  emigration  eimstantlj'   flowing  in 
uixni  lis. 

Uow  often  Imvo  \Ye  smarted  beneath  the  lash  of  eriticism,  so 
unspaiingly  indicted  upon  us  by  Dieivens,  Capt.  llaie,  aud  Mrs. 
Troliopc.  Tlie  writers  of  this  country  liave  exliausted  tlieir 
genius  in  abusing  tliem,  because  tliey  had  the  audacity  to  hold 
up  to  tho  world's  ridieido  the  elegant  peculiiirilics  of  the  in- 
habitants of  tho  "greatest  country  on  tho  face  of  tho  earth." 
But  these  criticisms  have  unciuestionably  done  much  for  our  im- 
provement; and  though  in  many  respects  highly  colored,  have 
certainly  had  the  cfl'ect  of  polishing  down  many  of  the  rough 
points  in  our  character. 

It  is  now  nearly  forty  years  since  ifrs.  Trollope  published  lier 
book— and  what  a  sensatinn  it  created!  It  aroused  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  reading  public  irom  the  great  Lakes  to  the  Gulf.  Yet 
nearly  every  statement  made  in  that  book  was  truthful !  ^Vllcn 
she  said,  in  her  book  of  travels,  that  it  was  common  on  our 
western  river  steamers  to  see  men  seated  at  their  meals,  in  com- 
pany with  ladies,  in  their  shirt-sleeves,  she  told  only  tho  simple 
truth;  and  only  what  I  myself  have  witnessed  repeatedly,  and,  I 
doubt  not,  many  who  read  this  have  also  witnessed. 

When  she  declared  she  had  seen  in  the  dress  circle  of  our  first- 
class  theatres,  men  seated  on  tho  balustrade  in  their  shirt- 
sleeves, with  their  backs  to  tho  audience,  while  dozens  of  feet  at 
tho  same  time  rested  on  tli'j  rail,  she  told  but  the  truth !  Yet 
hundreds  of  pens  and  thcasands  of  tongues  branded  her  with 
falsehood. 

Before  her  work  appeared,  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  for  both 
officers  and  passengers  to  be  seen  at  table,  on  board  the  west- 
ern steamers,  in  their  shirt-sleeves.  I  saw  tho  same  thing  my- 
self a  few  years  after  reading  her  work. 

Whether  the  lady's  book  caused  tho  revolution  or  not,  I  am 
unable  to  say;  but  within  a  year  or  two  after  its  publication,  no 
person  was  permitted  to  seat  himself  at  table,  on  a  steamer  car- 
rying passengers,  unless  in  proper  costume. 

For  myself,  I  havo  no  recollection  of  ever  seeing  a  person 
seated  on  tho  balustrade  of  tho  dress-circle  of  a  theatre  in 
his  shirt-sleeves,  with  his  back  to  tho  stage  while  the  perform- 
ance was  going  on,  but  I  have  been  credibly  informed,  by  eye- 
witnesses, that  tho  thing  has  been  repeatedly  witnessed  by  them ; 


an( 

on 

h:>' 

asl 

ba' 

ou: 

ox 

K( 
Al 

Dli 

Sr 
sh 
b£ 

tl 
ni 

tl 
c 
b 
d 

fi 
t 

i 

I 
t 


EARLY  DATS. 


IS 


flowing  in 

criticism,  so 
c,  and  Mrs. 
lUHtccl  their 
u'ity  to  hold 
1  of  tlie  in- 
tho  earth." 
for  our  im- 
;)lored,  havo 
if  the  rough 

Liblishcd  licr 
the  indigiia- 

0  Gulf.  Yut 
iful !  ^Vhen 
iiion  on  our 
pals,  in  com- 
y  tho  simple 
tedly,  and,  I 

1  of  our  first- 
thcir  shirt- 
Mis  of  feet  at 

truth !  Yet 
ed  her  with 

ling  for  both 
:'d  the  west- 
ic  thing  my- 

or  not,  I  am 
blication,  no 
steamer  car- 

ng  a  person 
[V  theatre  in 
the  perform - 
med,  by  eye- 
sed  by  them ; 


and  I  havo  mvsolf  seen  sucli  a  want  of  decorum  between  acts, 
on  several  ocVasious,  as  m  du.scrii.liou  coul.l  do  justice  to.  I 
bnve  also  seen,  though  I  am  glad  to  say  not  ottou,  prrsous 
aslcen  in  the  dress-circle,  with  their  legs  hanging  over  the 
balustrade,  and  il  was  no  uncommon  sight,  a  few  years  smce,  ui 
our  southern  and  western  tlicalres,  to  see,  between  the  acts,  an 
extensive  crop  of  boots  reposing  on  it.  .,,,,■,        a 

Such  want  of  <lecorum  was  never  permitted  m  tho  Mobde  and 
New  Ore  ins  theatres,  but  these  were  the  only  ones  wcs  ot  tho 
AllXuies  and  south  of  tho  l'..tomac  River,  m  which  good 
manners  were  not  permitted  to  bo  mlruiged. 

1  doubt  if  there  is  now,  within  the  broad  compass  of  Uc  o 
Sam's  dominion,  a  theatre  where  a  person  -"  I'M-m^^ted  to 
show  <lisrespect  to  the  audience  by  hanging  "^  /"S  »  «[  *^« 
bilustrade  sitting  upon  it,  or  by  elevating  Ins  boots  upon  it. 

Thl  re?:.ruiation  c'l.mmenced'in  the  pit,  as  that  portion  of  the 
theatre  now  occupied  by  orchestra  chairs  was  formerly  denonu- 

°  Whoever  first  started  tho  ery  of  "Boots,"  in  the  pit  of  a 
thoatre,  was  the  first  reformer.  The  cry  became  popular ;  v.  hen- 
everafoot  appeared,  the  cry  of  "Boots"  was  started,  taken  up 
by  tho  whole  pit,  and  never  ceased  until  tho  obnoxious  foot  had 

"^^  in' tho'courso  of  my  wandering  life,  I  havo  witnessed  two  af- 
fairs  in  theatres,  which,  in  the  way  of  disgraceful  conduct  ccr- 
ta  nly  far  surpassed  anything  described  in  Mrs.  Trollope  s  book. 

Tho  first  of  these  took  place  in  the  Jellersor.  Street  I  heat  e, 
in  Louisville,  in  tho  summer  of  1837.  One  of  tho  bloods  of  the 
Place,  having  partaken  too  freely  of  the  ardent,  took  the  hbeity 
to  sleep  it  off  in  tho  dress-circle,  and  also  to  find  a  resting-place 
for  his  foot  by  hanging  them  over  tho  balustrade. 

His  indecorous  position  might  havo  passe.l  unchallenged  by 
tbo  pit  of  a  Louisville  theatre,  which,  at  that  period,  had  not 
accustomed  itself  to  be  at  all  squeamish  about  an  unusiul  dis- 
Tilav  of  le'-s,  but  the  fellow  snored  so  loudly  as  to  attract  tho  at- 
tention of"tho  entire  house.  Tho  rowdy  pit  was  the  first  to  take 
exceptions  to  the  gentleman's  rather  free-and-easy  way  of  taking 
his  irvp"  They  commenced  to  call  tho  attention  of  tho  rest  ot 
the  audience  by  yells,  cat-calls,  hoots,  and  cries  of  "put  'em 
out,"  "saw  his  legs  off,"  "pitch  'em  down,"  "grease  his  nos- 


16 


"WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAOADOND. 


trils,   etc.    The  noise  and  confusion  awolio  the  slumbering  gen- 
tleman, who  stared  around  him  for  several  seconds,  and  finally 
began  to  comprehend  tluit  ho  was  the  cause  of  the  disturbance. 
Ho  flew  into  a  violent  rage,  and  appeared  to  bo  seized  with  a 
desire  to  thrash  the  wliolo  house.     Ue  hurled  at  his  tormentors 
a  volley  of  flerco  oaths,  which  only  caused  them  to  hoot,  hiss, 
and  yell  the  louder.    At  this  instant  his  eye  fell  on  a  knot  of  per- 
sons immediately  beneath  him,  who,  with  arms  outstretched 
towards  him,  were  hooting,  yeUing  and  gesticulating  like  so  many 
fiends.     His  rage  was  now  centered  on  this  group.    Without  a 
moment's  hchitation  he  swung  himself  over  the  balustrade,  land- 
ing among  his  tormentors,  and  rained  stunning  blows  from  his 
fist,  right  and  left,  wherever  he  saw  a  head  to  strike  at.    His  at- 
tacks wore  so  sudden  and  unexpected  that  he  had  floored  three 
of  his  tormentors,  and  made  as  many  more  feel  the  weight  of 
his  fist,  before  they  recovered  from  their  surprise.    They  soon 
Tallied,  however,   and  after  a  short  and  bloody  struggle,  the 
attacking  party  was  beaten  down,   trodden  under  foot,   and 
thumped  ne.irly  out  of  all  semblance  to  humanity,  with  scarcely 
a  stitch  of  clothing  remaining  on  his  person.    After  which  short 
but  glorious  struggle  he  was  carried  out,  covered  with  blood, 
while  the  sympathy  of  the  audience,  who  were  in  a  state  of  the 
wildest  excitement  at  this  short  act  not  mentioned  on  the  bills, 
showed  itself  unmistakably  in  favor  of  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
,turbance. 

The  women  seemed  quite  as  much  interested  as  the  men,  and 
the  actors  on  the  stage  never  changed  their  places,  but  patient- 
ly waited  until  the  row  was  over,  when  the  play  was  resumed. 
Five  years  later  I  was  present  at  a  performance  in  iihire's 
Theatre  at  Cincinnati. 

Between  the  acts,  a  gentleman  (?)  seated  himself  on  the  balus- 
trade, with  his  legs  danglmg  over  the  outside ;  while  in  this  posi- 
tion he  amused  himself  by  squirting  tobacco  juice  on  to  the 
heads  of  the  spectators  beneath  him  in  the  pit — a  piece  of  pleas- 
antry which  cost  him  dearly. 

One  of  his  victims,  on  discovering  the  outrage,  quietly  left  the 
theatre,  and  returned  with  two  paving-stones,  one  of  which, 
being  hurled  at  his  head,  at  his  next  compliment  in  the  tobacco- 
juice  line,  brought  him  tumbling  into  the  pit  like  a  felled  ox. 
His  assailant  then  explained  his  reason  for  such  conduct,  and 


his  es 

aroun 

wlio  1 

and  i 

had  r 

him, 

ncarl 

Ha 

I  ha^ 

ment 

meet 

on  t: 

ofth 

Oi 

The 

citie: 

and 

lawl 

even 

our 

N 

Unii 

witl 

pari 

186' 

to  I 

the 

tot 

tro( 

effe 

gac 

pre 

the 

aut 

hin 

me 

oui 


EARLr  DAYS. 


17 


sring  gen- 
lud  fln.ally 
sturbiijce. 
cvd  with  a 
oruieutors 
hoot,  hiss, 
not  of  per- 
itstretched 
;e  so  many 
Without  a 
•ade,  land- 
s  from  his 
t.  His  at- 
lored  three 
I  weight  of 
They  soou 
■uggle,  the 
foot,  and 
th  scarcely 
Fhich  short 
rith  blood, 
itate  of  the 
m  tlie  bills, 
of  the  dis- 

0  men,  and 
lut  patient- 
,s  resumed. 
5  in  bhire's 

1  the  balus- 
n  this  posi- 

on  to  the 
CO  of  pleas- 

Btly  left  the 
1  of  which, 
ho  tobacco- 
illed  ox. 
jnduct,  and 


his  explanation  bcin-borno  out  by  tho  so.lca  garments  of  several 
around  him,  twenty  feet  at  least  commenced  kickmg  the  fellow, 
who  had  not  vet  recovered  from  the  blow  from  tho  panng-stonc, 
and  it  is  probable  he  would  have  been  killed  then  and  there 
had  not  a  body  ..f  police  forced  th,  ir  way  to  the  spot  and  rescu 
him,  in  an  insensible  state,  covered  with  blood,  and   beaten 

""'Hlppiiy!  suih  want  of  decorum,  and  such  barbarous  scenes  as 
I  have  described,  am  no  longer  to  be  seen  at  our  places  of  amuse- 
ment I  have  hcMd  of  but  a  single  fight  at  any  of  our  race 
meetings  for  fifteen  years.  That  to  which  T  allude  took  place 
on  the  Metarie  course,  at  New  Orleans,  during  the  ascendency 

°  Our  "glorious  fourth,"  and  St.  Patrick's  day,  pass  off  quietly. 
The  bands  of  firemen,  who  formerly  disgraced  our  largo 
cities  with  their  frequent  brawls  and  fights,  have  disappeared, 
and  the  timid  and  peaceable  will  no  more  be  disturbed  by  their 
lawless  conduct.  Our  numerous  elections  pass  off  quietly,  ana 
oven  the  "  Bovne  -^ater"  creates  but  little  cicitoment  among 
our  Celtic  citizens  outside  the  city  of  New  York. 

New  York,  once  considored  the  worst-governed  city  in  the 
United  States,  and  as  entirely  given  over  to  rowdyk-n,  has, 
within  the  last  few  years,  carried  her  elections  peaceablj  m  com- 
parison with  former  times.    During  the  presidential  election  of 
1864,  not  a  single  fight  took  place,  nor  was  there  a  drunken  man 
to  be  seen  in  the  streets;  but  this  surprising  state  ot  things  m 
tho  annals  of  New  York  was  doubtless  due  in  a  great  measure 
to  tho  presence  in  the  city  of  Gen.  Butler  with  a  large  body  of 
troops-a  fact  which,  no  doubt,  produced  on  many  a  very  moral 
effect     It  is  true,  our  police  force  is  now  larger  and  better  or- 
ganized than  formeriy,  but  if  tho  people  had  not  learned  to  a,p- 
preciate  good  order,  the  police  would  be  poweriess.    Formerly, 
the  people  enjoyed  a  fight,  and,  so  far  from  assisting  any  law  ul 
authority  to  prevent  or  break  up  a  disturbance,  would  actually 
hinder  them  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.    Places  of  amuse- 
ment and  drinking  saloons  have  increased  with  tho  mcrease  m 
our   population,   yet  there  is  less  drunkenness  at  the  present 
time  than  forty  years  ago,  and  rowdyism  is  also  happdy  on  the 
decline.    This  change  for  the  better  has  not  been  wrought  by 
religious  sects,  or  the  teachings  of  any  of  their  creeds.    It  is 


18 


TVANDEniXCS  Ol'  A   VAGABOND. 


duo  to  a  better  arqiiaintanco  with  the  world.  Tho  press,  tele- 
griii)li9,  railroads,  and  itul)lic  scliools,  have  boon  our  groat  ro- 
fonncrH.  Tlio  largo  aiuouiit  of  emigration  from  other  countrios 
has  iiiado  us  aciiuaiutcd  with  a  now  race  of  boinga.  Many  of 
their  custonia  wo  have  adopted,  tlmir  more  gentle  manners  have 
had  a  tendency  to  soften  numy  of  the  rougher  traits  in  our  char- 
acters. If  wo  still  stick  to  the  "red  eye"  whiskey,  it  is  not 
now,  as  formerly,  the  prevalent  drink.  From  the  emigrants  wo 
have  learned  tho  use  of  malt  liiiuors  and  light  wines,  and  conco- 
quently  there  is  not  tho  same  amount  of  drunkenness  in  the 
country,  with  a  popubtion  of  nearly  forty  millions,  as  when  we 
numbered  scarcely  one-third  as  many. 


r 


CHAPTER  II. 


T.l 


EARLY  DATS. 

Facing  the  court-house,  and  within  a  few  doors  of  tho  "Old 
Hickory"  tavern,  stood  a  one-story  frame  building,  with  a  goodly 
roof. 

The  front  of  this  building  was  painted  white,  and  a  bright  yel- 
low door,  on  each  side  of  which  was  a  window  witli  green  Vene- 
tian blinds,  affordec^  tho  only  means  of  egress  and  ingress ;  and 
tho  flaming  gilt  letters  on  tho  sign-board  over  the  door  inform- 
ed the  pul)lic  that  this  was  the  establishment  of  "Giles  &  Mor- 
ris, Merchant  Tailors." 

Tho  inside  of  this  institution,  which  was  about  twenty  feet  in 
width,  and  something  more  than  double  that  number  in  depth, 
was  divided  by  a  partition  into  two  apartments.  The  first  of 
these,  which  was  tho  l)usiness  part  of  tho  establishment,  had  a 
planed  floor,  a  plastered  ceiling,  and  handsomely  papered  walls, 
which  were  ornamented  with  penny  pictures  of  hunting  and  fish- 
ing scenes,  racing  and  trotting  horses,  etc. 

Near  the  partition,  which  divided  tlio  "  store  "  from  the  work- 
ing department,  siood  a  long  pine  table  or  counter,  on  which 
was  arranged  several  bolts  of  foreign  and  domestic  cloth,  and  on 
the  three  shelves  supported  against  the  partition  were  various 
descriptions  of  goods  belonging  to  the  tailoring  business.  The 
furniture  consisted  of  half  a  dozen  cane-seat  chairs,  a  ragged 


EAULV   DAYS. 


19 


le  press,  tole- 
our  groat  ro- 
tlior  c'duiitrica 
li^a.  MiiTiy  of 
iiiiimicrs  liiivo 
;s  in  our  char- 
cey,  it  is  not 
emigrants  wo 
L'3,  and  conco- 
euncss  in  the 
8,  as  when  we 


s  of  the  "Old 
with  a  goodly 

1  a  bright  yei- 
h  green  Veno- 
[  ingress;  and 
3  door  inform- 
"  Giles  &Mor- 

twenty  feet  in 
iber  in  depth, 
The  first  of 
ishment,  had  a 
papered  walls, 
nting  and  flsh- 

from  the  work- 
ntcr,  on  which 
c  cloth,  and  on 
1  were  various 
l)usiness.  The 
lairs,  a  ragged 


sofa,  and  a  large  mirror,  in  which  the  customers  of  Giles  k  Morns 
were  wont  to  inspect  their  nowly-ni.ulc  dotliing.  A  d-or  m  the 
aforonu'UtioiKMl  purtiti.ui  gave  eiUniuco  to  the  worlc  (Ifpartment, 
whicli  had  also  anotlicr  entrance  iu  llio  rear  of  the  huiklmg. 

As  lar  as  appearances  were  couconicd,  lliis  room  had  not  the 
remotest  claim  to  respectability.  Tlio  flooring  and  walls  were 
composed  of  unplaned  boards,  and  the  rough  beams,  on  winch 
rested  the  flooring  of  the  ui)pcr  story,  were  unc  cred.  It  was 
furnished  with  a  tailoring  table  of  a  size  to  accommodate  about 
three  workmen,  a  few  pino  benches,  several  splint-bottomed  clian-s, 
a  water-pail,  a  wasli-basin,  and  a  large  metal  stove. 

In  a  corner  of  the  room  was  a  rough  staircase,  which  led  to  the 
regions  above,  where  worn-out  a.li.^lcs  of  various  descriptions 
wore  stored,  to  be  out  of  the  way.  One  corner  of  tins  lumber- 
room  was  reserved,  however,  as  a  kind  of  arsenal,  for  storing  shot- 
gmis,  rilles,  game-bags,  nets,  fishing  tackle,  etc.,  etc. 

Giles  and  Morris  were  both  married,  but  I  was  the  sole  olTsprmg 
of  that  illustrious  firm.  My  father,  John  Morris,  and  his  partner, 
had  conducted  the  only  respectable  tailoring  ^•'!^'"*;«V"  i„ 
place,  since  the  year  18-^.%  at  which  time  they  emigrated  there, 
from  Pittsburg,  which  city  was  the  native  place  of  both 

The  business  yielded  them  a  very  respectable  hvmg,  and,  had 
they  been  at  all  provident,  they  might  have  easily  laid  by  some- 
tWng  for  a  rainy  day.    But  the  firm  of  Giles  &  Morns  never 
lool^ed  ahead  to  meet  trouble,  but  were  firm  be  levers  in  an  old 
Irish  ada-e,  which  afflrms  that  "  It's  llmo  enough  to  bid  the  devil 
goo    moiSig  when  you  meet  him."     They  loved  lii;e  for  the  en- 
j^ovient  whidi  it  afforded  them.     IU.th  were  mighty  hunters 
and  the  life  of  the  sporting  fraternity  in  Marietta.    They  were 
organizers  and  directors  of  all  hunting  an<l  fishing  excursions, 
tie  ump  res  at  quarter-races,  eock-fights,  dog-fights,  buU-baits, 
ber -baits,  etc.     The  two  latter  amusements,  now  almos    un- 
knowrweve  in  those  days  very  popular.     Both  habitually  dress- 
ed in  the  stvle  of  hunters,  and  never  moved  without  a  retmue  of 
pointers,  seiters  and  spaniels,  at  their  heels ;  while  at  their  res 
idences  they  never  failed  to   have  chained  one  or  two  fierce 
bul  -c  o<^s,  which  thev  were  always  ready  to  match  in  a  fight 
Snst^a^v  other  animals  of  the  canine  species,  for  sums  vary- 
itifT  from  twentv-flve  to  one  hundred  dollars. 

T  eThaTl  also  a  fine  breed  of  game-cocks,  distributed  on  dif- 
ferent farms  in  the  vicinity,  with  which  they  were  not  averse  to 


90 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAUABOKD. 


flgUt  a  main  with  any  cockers  who  (lisputed  the  invinclblo  prow- 
ess of  the  biriLs  of  the  Ih'iu  of  Morris  &;  Giles. 

I  suijposo  thero  iii'\ cr  before  or  siiicc,'  existed  a  firiii  uliero  per- 
fect Kooil  feeling  and  tramiuillily  reigneil  so  siiiirenieiy  as  with 
my  father  and  his  associate.  Whatever  was  done  by  one  part- 
ner was  cordially  endorsed  by  the  other.  Any  business  contract 
entered  into  by  one  partner  receiv(;d  the  full  concurrenco  of  the 
other.  And  if  one  coinniited  any  little  indiscretion,  such  as  go- 
ing on  a  spreo  and  spending  or  gambling  away  the  money  belong- 
ing to  the  Arm,  the  amount  so  appropriated  was  set  down  as 
"expenses,"  and  not  the  slightest  misuiiderstandhig  or  bickering 
took  place.  "  A  bully  firm  "  was  the  verdict  of  4ho  sports  of  the 
town.  I  think  no  husbands  were  kinder  or  more  attentive  to 
their  wives,  no  ladies  in  .Marietta  dressed  belter  than  my  mother 
and  the  wife  of  my  father's  i)arrner,  and  I  believe  they  were  lov- 
ing and  faithful  wives.  ^ly  parents  lived  very  happily  together, 
according  to  my  best  recollections,  during  the  short  time  they 
were  permitted  to  remain  on  this  earth  w  ith  mc.  To  mo  thoy 
were  afl'ectionate  and  indulgent,  more  especially  my  mother,  who 
was  a  person  of  some  literary  attainments,  and  spent  her  leisure 
hours  reading  books  of  travel,  novels,  poetry,  etc.  As  for  my 
father,  the  only  book  of  any  sort  ho  was  ever  known  to  open  was 
his  ledger. 

In  the  summer  of  1832  the  town  was  visited  by  that  fell 
scourge  whose  poisonous  sting  has  defied  the  researches  of 
medical  science— the  Asiatic  cholera.  Among  its  victims  were 
both  my  parents ;  struck  down  within  an  hour  of  each  other. 
Amid  this  rapid  havoc  of  death  I  was  left  alone,  too  young  to 
understand  the  loss  I  had  suffered,  or  that  I  was  the  last  of  my 
race.  If  my  parents  left  any  relatives  behind  them,  they  have 
never  come  within  the  scope  of  my  knowledge. 

Death  therefore  dissolved  the  firm  of  "  Giles  ic  Morris ; "  but 
the  business  was  continued  by  the  remaining  partner,  and  the 
large  sign-board  over  the  door  remained  unchanged.  Mr.  Giles 
had  many  advantageous  offers  of  partnership,  all  of  which  ho  re- 
fused, aflirraing  that  a  copartnership  existed  between  him  and 
myself,  for  I  had  fallen  under  his  guardianship,  together  with  the 
property  my  parents  had  left,  which  consisted  of  the  house  where 
we  had  lived,  its  fiu-niture,  and  a  half  interest  mthe  tailor's  shop, 
and  the  ground  on  which  it  stood. 


ca 
be 

Ai 
re 

pl 

te 
oi 

CI 

S( 
C( 

r( 
n 
■w 
•w 
it 
a 
I 
s 
I 
I 

8 
I 

i 


Bible  prow- 

where  pcr- 
lely  us  with 
y  ouo  part- 
n.sa  contract 
•euco  of  the 
such  as  go- 
iioy  belong- 
et  down  as 
)r  Ijidjcring 
ports  of  tho 
xttcntivo  to 
1  my  motlicr 
'y  wcr(5  lov- 
ly  toi,'cthcr, 
;  tiiuo  thoy 
ro  uio  thoy 
uotlier,  who 
her  leisure 
As  for  my 
to  open  was 

)y  that  fell 
searches  of 
ictims  were 
each  other. 
)o  young  to 
3  last  of  my 
1,  they  have 

[orris ; "  but 
ler,  and  the 
Mr.  Giles 
fhich  he  re- 
Bu  him  and 
ler  with  the 
iouse  where 
ailor's  shop, 


H 


I'UOl  T.SSION. 


n 


CnAPTEK    III. 

ruDi'Kssiox. 

Shortly  aftor  tho  death  <.r  my  p;ir->nt.^  1  was  consigned  to  tho 
care  of  an  old  Irishman,   I'ebT  MelJirney  by  name,  who  had 
boon  chosen  bv  Ibo  go.lly  I'resbylerians  to  pn-side  over  tlio 
Academy  of  Marietta,  and  to  .■nli-bten  tho  understanding,  cor- 
rect the  tempers,  and  lorn,  the  manners  of  tho  youtli  ot  the 
place.     During  the   live  years  which   1   passed  under  tlie  fos- 
teriu-  care  of  tho  venerai)lo  -Mellirney,  ho  managed  to  lleg  some 
of  the  rudiments  of  reading,  writing,  and  ciphering,  mto  my 
cranium,    lie  was  a  severe  master,  and  used  tlu.  rod  upon  his 
scholars  with  an  unsparing  hun.l,  and  what  htli.,  od.ieat.ou  1  re- 
ceived from  him  cost  mo  many  tears  and  stripes.     \V  lien  1  tould 
read,  write,  and  cast  up  accounts  tolerably,  Mr.  Giles  considered 
my  education  fmi.shed,  and  removed  mo  In.m  the  care  of  this 
worthy  old  gentlemau,and  transferred  mo  to  the  tailoring  board, 
where  it  was  intended  1  should  bnirn  tho  trade  of  my  father  •,  but 
it  requires  two  to  mako  a  bargain,  and  iny  worthy  f;)ster-ather 
and  mvself  were  by  no  moans  in  accord  on  tho  subject.     The 
business  was  hateful  to  me.     A  tailor !     My   ambitious  sou 
soared  far  above  such  a  comraonplaco  occupation.     In   tact,  i 
had  no  desire  to  learn  any  trade,  but  had  a  romantic  idea  of 
being  a  rover  and  of  seeing  the  world-a  desire  which  was 
strengthened  by  reading  novels,  and  boolcs  of  travels,  of  which  I 
was  inordinately  fond.    My  fond  foster-parents  saw  with  grief 
my  intractable  disposition,  for  their  minds  were  set  on  my  occupy- 
ing tho  vacant  place  of  my  father  in  tho  respectable  hrra  of 
"Giles  &  Morris;"   but   "tho   best  laid  sclicraes  of  mice  and 
men  gang  aft  aglee,"  and  thoy  were  doomed  to  disappointment. 
Often  did  mv  poor  foster-mother,  witli  tears  in  her  eyes,  prophesy 
that  I  should  leave  this  world  in  the  presence  of  a  largo  audience 
some  flno  day,  my  exit  being  facilitated  by  "Jac^  ketch,    ad 
that  all  tho  cares  they  had  lavished  on  me  would  bo  repaid  by 
mv  brin<Ting  their  gray  hairs  in  sorrow  and  shame  to  tho  grave. 
But,  I  am  happy  to  say,  none  of  these  somber  predictions  have 
been  veriQed.    So  far,  I  have  escaped  with  my  lilo,  and  never  i 
behove,  either  brought  shame  or  sorrow  to  the  hearthstone  of 


..^/vMMai 


89 


WAJJUKUIXdS  (iK  A    VA(1  Allo.M). 


•'  »  -  7 

mid  tlicv  will  Iciivo  vol 
ship.  (1-  rioiidsliip  ia  ii 
iiiiin  !    I'riciKislii]),  .sc[ 


my  Kind  lif'ii<'fiirl(>rH(('ipiitraiy,  1  didibt  iinl,  t(i  their  cxiicctatinnH), 
or  alliiwcd  Wiiiil  lo  visit  llioir  door  iu  thi'ir  old  ago.  And  wiiea  ft 
kind  I'rovidciii'i^  relifvcd  ihoiii  Iroiu  ilio  buriluiis  of  tliis  hie,  I 
iMUscd  ii  neat  iicad-stoiK'  to  iio  [ilai'cd  ul  llio  grave  ol"  eaeh,  oa 
wliicli  were  reeorded  llii'ir  names,  a;;es,  ami  many  virtnes. 

Had  r  boon  Iohs  olistinato  iu  rol'iiMiiiij  to  com|)ly  >\ith  tho 
wisheH  of  my  foMter-parciit-i,  I  mi,dit  iiave  hecii  to-day  a  icsprct- 
nhlc  inemiicr  of  soeifty,  oik!  of  llio  riilin;,'  li;,'lilH  of  Marietta,  pcr- 
hiips — poHsiiily  its  Mayor,  or  even  Governor  of  Ohio!  Who 
knows  f  Perliapa  I  rnij,'ht  bo  rieli  in  pM;  tlio  owner  of  wido 
domains;  the  fatlier  of  numerom  sons  and  daughters,  surroimd- 
od  by  liosts  of  friends,  sincere,  no  ilonbt,  so  loug  aa  their  inter- 
ests led  tliem  to  bo  so. 

While*  wealtli  is  yours,  nnd  fortune  Rniilcg,  friends  will  throng 
nround,  and,  like  vultures,  liatten  apon  you;  but  let  the  fieklo 
Jade  desert  you,  and  tlie  cold  shade  of  adversity  fall  upon  you, 
and  tl^ev  will  leiivo  you  as  quiekly  iis  rats  will  abandon  a  sinking 
a  holy  name,  but  how  shamefully  abiiseil  by 
'pavated  from  interest,  is  almost  aa  dillieiilt 
to  diseover  ,  tlie  rejuvenatin;;  spriii!,'s  in  tho  everglades  of 
Florida,  wliieh  so  loiijj;  haunted  tlu*  dreams  of  tho  kiiijrhtly  cut- 
throats of  Spain.  No  frii^ndship  ean  exist  between  tho  ■wicked, 
the  voluptuous,  men  of  liusiness,  or  jiolilicians.  The  first  have 
only  ae(!om|>li<'es,  the  second  companions,  the  third  partners, 
tho  fourth  de.'-iLrnini,'  associates,  ^t  is  only  anionj,'  tho  truly  vir- 
tuous that  friendship  can  exist;^^  Aa  I  was  a  disobedient  and 
wayward  boy,  and  havo  led  a  thril'tlesa  and  roving  life,  I  am 
possc.s.sed  of  neither  lioiuu's,  wealth,  nor  friends.  Destiny  do- 
creed  it ;  every t hint;  is  Koverned  by  its  immutable  laws. 

Jui)iter,  suiu'cmo  over  gods  and  men,  was  ignorant  that  at 
the  birth  of  Thetis,  the  fates  had  c'ecreed  that  her  otl'spring 
should  1)0  greati'i'  than  his  father,  and  had  It  not  been  for  tho 
dark  hints  thrown  out  by  the  Titan,  whom  ho  had  chained  to  a 
rock,  as  a  ]ninishinent  for  stealing  firo  from  heaven,  for  tho  bene- 
fit of  mankind,  would  have  made  her  Queen  of  Heaven.  The 
Titan  cxelian^'ed  his  secret  for  his  liberty,  and  Juno  was  made 
Queen  of  Heaven  instead  of  the  mother  of  Achilles. 

If  I  did  not  learn  tho  tailoring  businosa  under  tho  worthy 
Giles,  I  In  a  great  measure  transacted  his  business  for  him, 
keeping  his  bocks,  making  out  and  collecting  bis  bills,  and 
otherwise  rendering  mvself  useful  to  him. 


For  1 

and  on 

town  < 

boys" 

cock  k 

wliene 

the  la\ 

certair 

olllee, 

to  tho 

the  "l 

reproli 

riiii  II 

biiildii 

a  well- 

been  o 

maiiiN 

tho  111 

of  his 

&  Moi 

Was  i 

tho"" 

that  h 

at  cai 

for  m 

loss    1 

active 

under 

visitoi 

tho  111 

thoin. 

citize; 

shop, 

engaj 

sever 

the  w 

sion, 

the  ii 

rencc 

citize 


immitr*vmm^- 


;i('t'tiitiiinH), 

\th\  wIr'u  u 

IliiH  life,  I 

t>r  each,  ou 

tlR'S. 

y  with  the 

,•  II  rcHiicct- 
ricttii,  [iCT- 
>lii()!  Who 
lor  (if  ^vitlo 
,  smroimcl- 
thoh'  hiter- 

nill  thrniiK 

fh(>  (icklo 

uiiiiti  yon, 

m  a  sinking 

iihnsnl  hy 

iia  (lillicult 

iTKliulcs  of 

liKlitly  cut- 

:ho  wicked, 

1  first  luivo 

I   iiartnera, 

0  truly  vir- 
ediont  and 

life,  I  am 
)ostiny  de- 
vs. 

mt  that  at 
ir  ofl'spiiiif; 
?cu  for  tlio 
lainod  to  a 
r  the  bcno- 
iveii.  Tho 
i  was  made 

lio  worthy 
!S  for  him, 

1  bills,  and 


¥ 


ruorEssiox. 


2f! 


Forinanv  vciun.  old  Scniu'UH,  a  bottlo-iiose.l  iiluc  I'resbytfrian, 
and  one  of  iiie  •'uik'o  -iiid,"  was  iirosecutinu' attorney  for  tlio 
town  of   Marietta.   nolwitiistaiKlin^  Hie  eiluilH  of  the   "jolly 
bovH"  at  cverv  election,  to  oust  iiiiii  from  lii.s  ollice.    Tlie  old 
cock  knew  liis"«tieii-tli,  liowever,  and  uUn  knew  his  foe«.     And 
whenever  one  of  the  lioys  foiiml  himself  in  tlie  stromr  ^rip  of 
thf^  kiw,  he  looked  for  no  mercy  at  ilie  hand^  of  Scn!!,'-M,  and 
certainly  found  iiono.    Fron  the  moment  he  was  installed  in  his 
oHlce,  he  allowed  no  opportunity  to  slip  of  showing  his  hostility 
to  the  linn  of  "(liles  iV  Morris,"  wiiose  place  was  considered  by 
tho  "unco  guid"  of  Marietta  to  be  the  lirad-(piarteis  of  all  the 
reprobates  for  miles  around,  and  a  liot-lxd  of  deviltry  in  n'eueral. 
The  mysterious  Ki>llierin«s   wliich  took  place  ni;,'htly  in  that 
huildiun  could  i>e  for  mi  ^ood  purpose.     Had  not  vouulc  Mortim, 
a  well-to-do  dealer  in  the  ^rrocery  Trnt .  bei'ii  ruiiiiMl  Iheie,  and 
been  ol)li.i,'ed  to  (ly  from  tho  town  from  inability  to  meet  the  do- 
mauils  of  his  creditors?     Did  not  poor  .lenkins,  chief  clerk  In 
the  mercaiitii.' lirmof  "Clarke  iV.  Fisher," emliez/.le  tho  money 
of  his  onii)loyers,  and  Kinnl'le  it  away  at  the  tailor-ihop  of  (Jlles 
&c  Morris,  and,  in  conse(pience,  had  also  lied  to  parts  nidaiown? 
Was  it  noL  ])ul.ru'ly  known  that  John  Travis,  tho  landlord  of 
tho  "Old  Hickory,"  had  for  years  been  decoyimr  his  i,niests  to 
tiiat  infamous  place,  that  they  mi;,'Iit  be  roblied  of  their  money 
at  carda?    Was  it  not  eonmion  talk,  not  only  in  Marietta,  l)ut 
for  miles  aromxl.  that  tho  establishment  was  nothiiuj  more  nor 
loss    than  a   Kamiirmsj-hell  ?     Notwithstandim,'  this,   and  tho 
active  means  of  Seru^ss  and  his  associates,  wlio  stuck  at  no 
underhanded  measures  to  accomplish  their  ends,  tho  nightly 
visitors   of  tho  firm  of  "Giles  6c  Moriis"  managed  to  escape 
tho  punishment  which  their  enemies  were  burning  toinfliet  upon 
thorn.     During  the  life  of  my  tatlior,  the  sheritl',  with  a  posso  of 
citizens,  had  oneo  burst  open  tho  door  at  tho  baek  of  tho  tailor- 
shop,  in  tho  expectation  of  arresting  a  i)arty  of  gamblers  while 
engaged  at  tLair  nefarious  l)usiness.     Hut  they  only  discoverod 
several  gentlemen  in  conversation  over  wliiskey  and  cigars  in 
the  working  doiiartmcnt,  ard,  to  their  great  chagrin  and  confu- 
sion, saw  no  signs  ol  cards,  nor  any  indication  whatever  that 
tho  inmates  had  met  for  tho  ])urposo  of  gambling.    This  occur- 
renco   created  no  small  stir  in  tho  little  town.    Many  of  the 
citizens  who  abhorred  gambling  as  much  as  thoft  wore  not  at  all 


24 


WAXDERINOS  OF  A   VAGABOKD. 


prepared  to  sanction  tbo  forcible  entry  into  a  house  by  the 
officers  of  tlie  law,  unless  armed  with  authority  by  a  ni.igistratc. 
Such  a  precedent  was  a  dangerous  one.  and  contained  a  menace 
against  the  rights  of  domestic  'privpcy,  which  many  of  the  reli- 
gious and  respectable  citizens  were  not  disposed  to  tolerate. 

But  Puritanism  held  its  potent  sway  over  the  officers  and  the 
courts,  and  scarcely  a  lawyer  could  be  found  in  the  place,  who 
liossessed  sufficient  courage  to  take  a  stand  against  its  tyrauuy. 
I  forgot  to  say  that  after  the  sheriff  and  his  party  had  perpe- 
trated the  outrage  mentioned,  they  retired  without  making  any 
arrests,  or  the  smallest  excuse  for  their  unwarrantable  conduct. 
The  firm  of  Giles  &  Morris,  when  the  district  court  next  sat, 
brought  before  that  honorable  body  the  outrage  it  had  suffered, 
and  appealed  to  it  for  protection  against  similar  violent  visits  in 
the  future,  but  the  appeal  was  treated  with  iudiU'crence,  if  not 
with  contempt. 

The  result  of  this  descent  of  the  sheriiT  and  his  lollowers,  and 
the  refusal  of  the  court  to  take  any  action  on  this  outrage,  was 
the  lormation  of  a  new  political  party  in  the  town,  being  the  first 
blow  ever  struck  there  against  the  absolute  sway  of  Piiritanisra. 
The  firm   of  Giles  &  Morris  were  the  head  and  front  of  this 
new  faction,  and  around  them  rallied  all  the  free-livers  and  free- 
thinkers in  the  vicinity.     From  the  riverracn  and  longshoremen 
residing  in  the  place  it  gained  its  greatest  support.    The  opposi- 
tion, like  all  parties,  bad  its  platform ;  and  among  the  many 
planks  in  it  was  one  advocatmg  the  introduction  into  the  place 
of   gin-shops,  bowling-alleys,  billiard-saloons    and  other    like 
places  of  amusement.    In  its  infancy  the  new  party  seemed  but 
a  speck  on  the  horizon  ;  but  it  gained  strength  year  by  year,  un- 
til it  became  so  powerful  as  to  be  a  serious  thorn  in  the  flesh 
to  the  faction  in  power,  which  had  been  watchi-g  its  growth 
with  no  little  uneasiness.    The  second  year  after  the  death  of 
my  parents,  the  Puritans  and  the  opposition  contested  the  bit- 
terest election  ever  held  in  Marietta— the  former,  as  usual,  being 
victorious.    The  feelings  of  both  parties  were  aroused  to  a  war 
footing,  though,  happily,  the  affair  passed  without  blood  having 
been  spilled.    Mr.  Scruggs  and  his  followers  now  became  satisfied 
that  nothmg  short  of  the  total  extinction  of  the  firm  of  Giles  & 
Morris  would  sustain  them  in  power.  Accordingly,  one  night,when 
no  moon  or  stars  mitigated  in  the  shghtest  degree  the  Cimmerian 


r 


•  X'-. 


a  honso  hy  the 
by  a  in.igistratc. 
tained  a  menace 
uany  of  the  rcli- 
l  to  tolerate, 
ollicers  and  the 
1  the  place,  who 
.inst  its  tyranny, 
arty  had  perpe- 
out  making  any 
■autahle  conduct. 
,  court  next  sat, 
J  it  had  suffered, 
•  violent  visits  in 
ulifference,  if  not 

)in  followers,  and 
this  outrage,  was 
m,  being  the  first 
ly  of  Puritanism, 
md  front  of  this 
e-livers  and  free- 
nd  longshoremen 
ort.  Thoopposi- 
imong  the  many 
on  into  the  place 

and  other  like 
party  seemed  but 
year  by  year,  un- 
thorn  in  the  flesh 
;chi*"g  its  growth 
ifter  the  death  of 
ontestcd  the  bit- 
er, as  usual,  being 

aroused  to  a  war 
lout  blood  having 
;r  became  satisfied 
e  firm  of  Giles  & 
ly,  one  night,when 
ee  the  Cimmerian 


PROFESSION. 


m 


darkness,  and  scarcely  a  twinkling  light  was  to  be  seen  m  the 
quiet  little  town,  the  sheriff  and  about  twenty  men,  citizens  of 
the  place,  met  by  preconcerted  arrangement  at  his  house,  and 
proceeded  with  noiseless  steps  towards  the  building  occupied  by 
the  obnoxious  parties,  where  it  was  supposed  gambling  took 
place     Mr.  Scruggs  accompanied  the  cxpeditiois,  m  order  to 
give  to  its  acts  the  sanction  of  lawful  authority.     The  party  halt- 
ed silentiv  at  the  door  at  the  rear  of  the  establishment,  which 
was  ordered  bv  the  sheriff  to  be  opened.     Not  receiving  any  re- 
sponse to  his  summons,  he  burst  the  door  open,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  his  companions ;  when,  however,  they  attempted  to  enter, 
they  were  confronted  with  the  muzzles  of  seven  or  eight  double- 
barreled  guns,  which  had  such  an  elVcct  on  them,  that  then- 
courage,  like  Bob  Acre's,  "oozed  out  at  their  liuger-euds,"  and 
from  which  they  turned  and. fled  incontinently.  ,      ,     .«, 

When  it  became  known,  on  the  following  day,  that  the  sheriff 
had  been  resisted  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  a  terrible  excite- 
ment stirred  the  town  to  its  depths ;  such  outlawry  was  unknown 
there,  and  an  indignation  meeting  was  called,  which  was  presid- 
ed over  by  the  I>resbyterian  minister,  and  in  which  Scruggs  and 
his  colleagues,  in  stirring  speeches,  advocated  the  entire  annihi- 
lation of  the  Arm  of  Giles  &  Morris,  and  everything  pertaining 
thereto.     His"  proposal  was  carried  by  acclamation,  and  beloio 
time  had  been  allowed  for  matters  to  cool,  a  motley  Jlirong  of 
more  than  two  hundred  peoplo  were  moving  towards  thepiem- 
ises  occupied  by  the  parties  concerned,  with  the  determination 
to  wipe  it  from  the  face  of  the  earth.    But  their  benovcent  pur- 
pose was  frustrated ;  for,  when  they  reached  the  place,  they  found 
over  forty  determined  men,  armed  with  rifles,  ready  to  protect  it  at 
any  cost:  This  unexpected  sight  cooled  their  ardor,  and  after  some 
muttering  and  threats,  they  abandoned  thc:r  hostile  i"te"tion8 
and  disper -ed.     Scruggs,  finding  himself  defeated  in  his  attempts 
to  break  the  law,  fell  back  upon  it  to  consummate  his  revenge. 
Giles  and  as  many  as  twenty  of  his  associates  were  mdicted  tor 
sedition,  and  nearly  every  other  crime  in  the  statutes  of  the  State. 
But  the  determined  resistance  of  tliose  parties,  to  the  attacKs 
on  them,  convinced  the  Puritans  that  it  was  no  use  to  push  mat- 
ters, unless  they  were  prepared  to  fight.     The  court  was  willing 
•     to  set  aside  the  indictments  brought  against  Giles  and  his  friends 
and  to  entertaiu  the  opinion  that  they  had  some  rights  in  tuc 


I 


26 


AVAXUKKINGS   Of   A   VAUABONU. 


commuuitj-,  even  if  it  were  suspected  tljey  were  iu  the  habit  of 

brealiiug  the  laws  by  participating  in  gamlihng.    After  all,  courts 

of  justice  are  composed  of  only  human  intolllgcuces,  who  dispi-uso 

justice  according  to  public  opinion,  instead  of  the  spirit  of  tlie  law. 

When,  a  few  years  before,  Giles  accused  the  shorilf  before  the  court 

with  having  forcibly  entered  his  premises  in  direct  violation  of 

the  law,  the  court  would  not  listen  to  him,  because  he  had  no 

power  in  the  community.    When  he  became  powerful  enough  to 

resis*  the  encroachments  of  the  authorities,  the  eye  of  the  court 

was  open  to  conviction;  it  decided  that  the  sheriff  had  over- 

8tepj)ed  his  authority  when  he  attempted  to  break  into  the  house 

of  a  private  citizen,  witliout  a  warrant  from  a  magistrate,  for  the 

purpose  of  arresting  suspected  gainbling  i)arlies.    This  decision 

freed  the  firm  of  Giles  &  Morris  from  the  forcible  vi.sitatio.is  of 

the  officers  of  the  law,  but  not  from  espionage.    Scruggs  was  ever 

on  the  alert  to  obtain  evidence  against  the  nightly  frequeuterfi  of 

the  place,  but  his  attempts  were  generally  frustrated.    The  grand 

jury  sat  bat  once  in  six  months.     Before  the  assembling  of  that 

august  body,  Giles  and  his  friends,  or  at  least  those  of  tliem  who 

had  any  fear  of  being  summoned,  would  generally  contrive  to  be 

absent  on  a  fishing  or  hunting  excursion,  and  not  return  until  the 

danger  was  past.    Since  the  opposition  party  had  developed  its 

strength,  some  of  its  members  were  on  the  jury  at  each  session ; 

and  if  the  tales  were  true,  which  Gile^  ind  a  few  of  his  intimate 

friends  used  to  chuckle  over,  they,  had  timely  warning  whenever 

a  grand  jury  was  disposed  to  bo  troublesome.    There  were  men 

on  those  juries,  who  held  the  strange  idea  that  one's  first  duty 

was  to  protect  one's  friends,  and.  when  that  hung  in  the  balance, 

were  not  half  as  particular  about  the  secrets  which  hang  around 

the  august  proceedings  of  grand  juries,  as  was  Hamlet's  father 

about  those  of  his  "  prison-house." 


1 

sho 
doc 
pre 
the 
No 
the 
lini 
bee 
use 
by 

wo 
the 

r 

we 
"s 
an 
bu 
on 
pr« 
res 
an 
pa 
sol 
ho 
wl 
do 
cU 
cb 
th 
qu 
cu 

80 

ev 
da 


''-^^. 


the  habit  of 
ter  all,  courts 
who  ilispi'iiso 
•it  (if  tlie  law. 
fore  the  court 
t  violation  of 

0  ho  had  no 
ul  enough  to 

1  of  the  court 
iff  had  over- 
iito  the  house 
itrate,  for  the 
This  decision 
visitatio.is  of 
iggs  was  ever 
'rcqueuterfi  of 
.  The  grand 
bling  of  that 
of  them  who 
ioutrive  to  ho 
turn  until  the 
developed  its 
each  session; 

his  intimate 
iug  whenever 
ere  were  men 
le's  first  duty 
1  the  balance, 

hang  around 
imlet's  father 


THE  CLUB. 


S7 


CHAPTER    IV. 

TUK   CLUB. 

The  club,  which  assembled  nearly  every  night  at  the  tailor's 
shop,  numbered  about  fifteen,  and  was  composed  of  lawyers, 
doctors,  merchants,  farmers  and  mechanics.  Mr.  Giles  was  its 
presiding  officer,  and  no  person  could  gain  admittance  without 
the  concurrence  of  the  President,  and  at  least  six  of  its  members. 
No  spies  or  garrulou.'i  persons  had  a  ghost  of  a  chance  of  entering 
the  doors  while  any  kind  of  gambling  was  going  on.  The  gamb- 
ling was  usually  confined  to  the  working  department;  when  this 
became  so  crowded  as  to  admit  no  more  tables,  the  store  was 
used.  The  two,  three  or  four  journeymen  constantly  employed 
by  Mr.  Giles,  and  who  were  also  members,  during  the  day 
worked  in  the  back  room,  and  if  a  press  of  business  protracted 
their  services  into  the  evening,  occupied  the  store. 

The  diflbreut  species  of  gambling  cawied  on  at  this  club 
were  poker,  brag,  euchre,  all-fours,  whist,  "vingt-et-un,"  and 
"snaps"  at  faro.  For  use  in  the  latter  game,  Giles  had  provided 
an  old  sheet-iron  dealing-box,  and  about  two  hundred  large  horn 
buttons,  besides  a  piece  of  black  cloth  with  thirteen  cards  pasted 
on  it,  ranging  from  the  ace  to  the  king  for  a  lay-out.  The  entire 
profits  of  the  club  went  into  the  pockets  of  Giles,  and  was  a  very 
respectable  rever.uo.  Cards  for  playing  all  games  except  faro 
and  vingt-et-un  \Terp  sold  to  the  players  at  twenty-five  cents  a 
pack,  thus  affording  a  clear  profit  of  fifteen  cents  on  every  pack 
sold.  At  poker,  a  check  was  deducted  from  the  pool,  for  the 
house,  whenever  threes  or  over  were  exposed,  and  at  brag 
whenever  a  full  was  exposed;  let  the  check  be  one  cent  or  one 
dollar,  the  claims  of  the  house  wore  always  the  same.  The  house 
clahned  ten  per  cent,  of  the  winnings  each  "snap"  at  faro,  and 
the  same  from  the  winnings  of  each  game  of  vingt-et-un.  Out  of 
this  revenue  the  house  was  expected  to  supplv  it.^,  guests  with  li- 
quors and  cigars,  but  when  lunches  were  desi'-d  they  were  pro- 
cured from  the  "Old  Hickory  Tavern,"  at  the  expense  of  the  per- 
son or  persons  ordering.  During  the  hours  devoted  to  play, 
everything  was  done  in  a  quiet  and  orderly  manner.  In  fact,  they 
dared  not  do  otherwise.    The  fear  of  detection  and  conviction 


; 


J 


.   miiii >i'*rii'  fmir'riaiiai 


■■■■■ 


m 


28  AVANl)EUIN'(i.S  OK    A    VACAUUND. 

held  in  check  all  who  nii^ht  otherwise  have  been  disposed  to 
be  qucrnilsoine  over  their  losses.    Whenever  dififereuces  of  opin- 
ion arose  regarding  points  of  play  or  other  matters  belonging  to 
the  game,  the  question  in  dispute  was  left  to  tho  decision  of  any 
Binglo  pcsrson  who    i.uld  bo  agreed  upon  by  both,  and  whoso  de- 
cision was  final.     If  one  or  both  parties  were  unwilling,  as  was 
Bometimes  the  case,  to  leave  the  vexed  question  tc  tlio  decision 
of  a  single  person,  each  chose  a  referee,  whoso  decisions  were 
considered  final,  provided  they  could  agree.    In  the  event  of 
their  disagreement,  the  referees  choso  an  umpire,  who  deter- 
mined the  matter.    But  this  last  method  of  settling  a  dispute 
was  seldom  required.    Giles,  being  the  high  authority  on  all 
subjects  in  dispute,  was  generally  appealed  to,  to  give  his  deci- 
sion-a  duty  ho  performed  with  tho  utmost  willingness,  whether 
able  to  do  so  properly  or  not. 

The  principal  gatherings,  and  those   which  were  the  most 
lucrative  to    Giles,   took  place  on    Saturday  evenings,   when 
could  bo  found  gathered  in  the  club-room  the  whole  sporting 
fraternity  of  Marietta  and  its  vicinity.    On  these  nights,  from 
four  to  five  tables  were  in  full  blast,  running  poker  and  brag 
games,  from  five  to  twenty-flve    cent   ante,   while  snaps    at 
faro  and  vingt-et-un  wouM  bo  also  going  forward.    The  hi(a<ory- 
bottomed  chairs  and  pine  tables  used  for  tho  games  were  con- 
coaled  in  the  loft  overhead  tluring  the  day,  and  brought  out  at 
night,  as  they  were  wanted  for  use.    None  of  the  members  or 
visitors  to  this  club  could  be  ranked  even  as  third-rate  players. 
The  best  among  the  members  were  two  men  named  John  Clarke 
and  Richard  Rathbon  respectively,  who  wera  partners  in  a 
grocery  store,   as  well  as  in  their   gambling  opoiutions.    To 
those  gentlemen  the  "club"  had  for  many  years  been  a  source 
of  profit.    Thej  did  not  cheat  their  adversaries  at  play,  for  tho 
simple  reason  that  they  knew  nothing  about  the  method  of 
doint  so,  but  they  were  more  skillful  and  cautious  players  than 
any  others  belonging  to  the  club,  or  any  of  those  who  were  in 
the  habit  of  frequenting  it.    The  next  Iwst  card-player,  after 
those  I  have  mentioned,  was  an  old  member  named  Hicks,  who 
wiin  tho  owner  of  tho   principal  blacksmithing  business  in  tho 
place.    Tho  old  fellow  indulged  only  in  poker,  brag,  and  all- 
fours.    Ho  was  a  -shrewd  and  cantious  player,  never  aUowuig 
himself  to  be  disturbed  by  his  losses,  and  for  many  years  had 


THE  CLTTB. 


29 


disposed  to 
ices  of  opin- 
)plonging  to 
■ision  of  any 
(I  whoso  do- 
lling, as  was 
tlio  decision 
cisions  wcro 
;ho  event  of 
who  doter- 
ig  a  dispute 
lority  on  all 
;ivc  his  dcci- 
ess,  whether 

re  the  most 
nings,   when 
lolo  sporting 
nights,  from 
ior  and  brag 
lie  snaps    at 
The  hickory- 
es  were  con- 
ought  out  at 
members  or 
rate  players. 
John  Clarke 
artncrs  in  a 
biutions.    To 
ecu  a  source 
play,  for  tho 
e  method  of 
players  than 
who  were  in 
-player,  after 
d  Hicks,  who 
isiness  in  the 
irag,  and  all- 
L'vcr  allowing 
iny  years  had 


been  in  tho  habit  of  visiting  the  club,  and  depending  on  it  as  a 
source  of  revenue.    The  three  individuals  named  had  been  the 
chief  winners  lor  more  than  eight  years,  during  wLich  time  it 
had  yielded  them  a  rich  harvest.     The  most  unfortimate  mem- 
ber of  tho  clul)  was  Jim  Willis,  the  ablest  lawyer  in  the  place, 
but  the  poorest  card-player.     Uc   was  tho   best  producer  of 
money  that  freipiented  the  place,  always  anxious  to  play  high, 
and  liad  proven  himself  a  rich  placer  to  the  three  worthies  men- 
tioned.   John  Travis,  tho  landlord  of  the  "  Old  Tavern,"  wps  a 
great  support  to  tho  club,  from  the  fact  of  his  introducing  so 
manv  of  his  guests  there,  but  ho  was  careful  to  present  only 
those  for  whoso  integrity  and  secrecy  ho  could  vouch.    Though 
Travis  played  but  little  himself,  ho  managed  to  pocket  a  portion 
of  tho  spoils  by  taking  at  times  a  stated  interest  in  the  play  of 
Rathbon  or  Clarke,   and  occasionally  in  that  of  old   Hicka. 
Nearly  all  tho  other  freiiuenters  of  the  place  knew  little  or  noth- 
ing about  cards,  and  made  their  visits  to  tho  club  more  a  matter 
of  pleasure  than  gain.     "  But  pleasures  are  like  poppies  spread," 
Bays  tho  poet,  and  the  verdant  visitors  to  the  club  often  were 
able  to  echo  the  sentiment  to  their  cost,  and  found  they  had 
paid  exceedingly  "dear  for  the  whistle,"  as  frequently  happens 
to  visitors  to  all  such  places,  who  love  to  dabble  in  play  for  their 
own  amusement.    When  this  class  of  players  win,  a  little  satis- 
fies them.    When  unfovtunate,  they  increase,  their  stakes  in 
order  to  regain  their  losses,  and  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  leave  the 
table  penniless.     My  foster-father,  John  Giles,  was  the  most 
desperate  player  of  the  club,  and  comparatively  a  poor  one.    He 
either  won  everything  in  the  shape  of  money  there  was  to  win, 
or,  as  was  much  more  frequently  the  case,  lost  all  his  own.    But 
he  never  gambled  away  more  than  the  ready  cash  which  he  had 
on  hand.    As  I  made  myself  useful  to  tho  customers  of  my 
foster-fatb'^r  during  the  day,  I  soon  extended  my  services  into 
the  eve-..ing,  and  made  myself  useful  to  tho  frequenters  of  that 
part  of  our  establishment  where  the  club  assembled  during  the 
night.    I  soon  made  myself  acquainted  with  the  duties  belonging 
to  this  department,  and  took  care  of  the  interests  of  my  foster- 
father,  according  to  tho  best  of  my  knowledge  and  ability.  Noth- 
ing afforded  me  more  pleasure,  fit  that  time,  than  to  watch  the 
ga^mblers  in  their  efforts  to  obtain  possession  of  each  other's 
money.    Tlie   distance  between  observing  and  learnmg  that 


i 


mfmmm»m^mm<t0^ 


iff)  '. 


ao 


•WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


which  interests  us  strongly  is  but  short,  and  in  little  raoro  than 
a  year's  time  I  could  play  all  the  games  in  vogue  then,  mort. 
scientifically  than  any  member  of  the  club.  Many  of  them 
would  at  times  ;jlay  with  mo  for  stakes — even  those  who  had 
sons  of  their  own  near  my  age.  Hut  I  had  grown  up  among 
their  amusements,  and  the  boy  was  forgotten  in  the  companion. 
So  I  played,  won  and  lost  my  money  with  them,  and  was  treated 
hi  most  respects  as  their  equal.  I  was  different  from  most  boya 
of  my  ago,  who  are  apt  to  abuse  a  familiar  intercourse  with  men; 
I  did  not  seek  the  society  of  boys,  oven  of  those  older  than  my- 
self. Those  persons  I  met  in  the  card-room  I  never  recognized 
on  tho  street,  unless  first  accosted  by  them ;  I  was  attentive  and 
obliging  to  all,  and,  to  use  a  slang  poker-phrase,  I  never  "chip- 
ped in"  when  conversation  was  taking  place,  unless  it  was  quite 
proper  for  me  to  do  so,  and,  young  a"  I  was,  I  gained  tho  respect 
and  confidence  of  nearly  every  visitor  to  the  rooms. 


CHAPTER   V. 


np 


CAPTAIN   AVILLIAM  SMITH 

Was  one  of  the  persons  introduced  to  the  club  by  John  Travis. 
He  was  commander  and  i^art  owner  of  the  steamboat  "  States- 
man," then  making  weekly  trips  between  the  ports  of  Marietta 
and  Cincinnati.  Every  Saturday  night  found  her  at  the  former 
town,  where  she  remained  until  the  Monday  morning  following, 
when  she  started  again  for  Cincinnati.  Capt.  Smith  was  about 
forty  years  old,  tall  and  thin,  with  stooping  shoulders,  lank 
black  hair,  which  hung  in  long  elf-locks  about  his  ears,  dark, 
piercing  eyes,  a  hooked  nose,  and  a  very  sallow  complexion. 
Neither  moustache  nor  whiskers  adorned  his  moody  coun- 
tenance, and  his  gait  was  slouching  and  ungainly.  His  foppish 
style  of  dress  added  to  his  ungraceful  appearance.  A  long 
swallow-tail  coat,  of  fine  black  cloth,  with  pantaloons  of  the 
same  material,  a  red  velvet  vest,  a  ruffled  shirt  with  a 
high  standing  collar,  and  shiny  stove-pipe  hat,  completed 
his  attire.  A  largo  cluster-pin  and  four  diamond  studs 
adorned  the  bosom  of  his  shirt,  and  around  his  neck  was  fes- 
tooned an  immense  gold  chain,  while  from  his  fob  depended 


e  moro  than 
!  then,  morf, 
my  of  them 
ISO  who  liad 
II  up  among 
)  companion. 
I  was  treated 
m  most  boys 
so  with  men  j 
ler  than  my- 
)r  recognized 
ittentive  and 
lover  "chip- 
I  it  was  quite 
d  tho  respect 


John  Travis. 

)at  "States- 
i  of  Marietta 
it  the  former 
ig  following, 
th  was  about 
)ulder8,  lank 
!  ears,  dark, 

complexion. 
Qoody  coun- 

His  foppish 
ice.  A  long 
iloons  of  the 
lirt  with  a 
,  completed 
mond  studs 
3ck  was  fcs- 
)b  depended 


CAPTAIN   WIM.IAM   SMITH. 


31 


another,  to  which  was  attached  several  larf,'o  seals  He  was  a 
nu.n  of  but  lew  words,  whicli,  by  tho  bye,  were  straiglit  to  the 
purpose,  and  drawled  them  out  in  a  low,  measured  tone.  The 
Captain,  on  bein,\'  introduced  to  tho  club,  said  he  never  played 
any  game  at  cards,  except  poker,  and  that  only  for  anuisenient. 
His  appearance  created  quite  a  sensation,  and  Clarke,  Kathbon, 
and  oven  Hicks  and  Giles  expected  to  get  some  line  pickings 
from  him.  Of  course  they  had  but  ono  night  in  the  week  to 
work  him.  On  tho  night  of  his  introduction  they  managed  to 
get  about  eighty  dollars  out  of  him  ;  but  on  the  seven  succeed- 
ing Saturday  nights  he  did  not  once  fail  to  rise  from  the  table  a 
considerable  winner.  Tho  ante  was  at  first  only  ten  cents,  which 
was  gradually  raised  to  twenty-five,  and  could  some  of  the  party, 
more  especially  Clarke  and  Rathbon,  have  had  their  desire, 
would  have  been  raised  to  a  dollar.  But  tho  Captain,  strange 
to  say,  was  a  timid  player,  and  refused  repeatedly  to  have  the 
ante  raised  higher  than  twenty-five  cents.  From  such  games 
as  these,  he  won,  night  after  night,  sums  varying  from  twenty- 
five  to  fifty  dollars.  Of  course  the  boys  thought  him  a  very 
lucky  customer,  but  his  success,  instead  of  discouraging  them, 
only  made  them  more  anxious  for  his  game,  and  impatient  of 
their  time,  until  Saturday  night  brought  tho  "  Statesman "  in- 
to her  well-known  place  at  the  wharf  of  Marietta. 

The  Captain,  while  seated  at  play,  was  always  very  uneasy 
lest  his  cards  should  be  seen  by  tho  bystanders.  Ho  allowed  no 
one  to  sit  or  stand  behind  him,  and,  after  his  first  sitting,  so 
placed  his  chair  that  no  one  by  any  possibility  could  overlook 
his  hand,  viz.:  by  sitting  close  in  tho  corner  and  drawing  the 
table  .0  him.  His  behavior,  straage  to  the  members  of  the 
club— for  all  were  accistomcd  to  expose  their  cards  freely  to  the 
bystanders— created  no  little  speculation.  Tho  Captain  became 
aware  of  this,  and  tried  to  explain  his  mistrustful  manners, 
while  at  play,  by  saying  that  he  was  nervous,  and  that  it  annoy- 
ed him  if  any  i  erson  looked  over  his  shoulder  at  the  face  of  his 
cards,  before  he  exposed  them  on  the  table.  Had  tho  members 
of  the  club  been  professional  gamblers,  they  would  have  con- 
cluded at  once,  from  his  actions,  that  his  cards  had  been 
"itemed,"  but  they  were  not  even  aware  of  the  existence  of 
such  frauds.  Such  rascally  tricks  as  "iteming"  the  hands  of 
players  were  unknown  at  the  ruoms  of  our  club.    Whatever  ro- 


.-  imiitiinmittliKI^ 


J 


iVt 


Twamm 


m 


88  WANDKRINGS  OF  A  VAGAHOJO). 

marks  his  opponciit.s  miKht  malcc  at  tho  tablo,  in  rofjard  to  his 
pliiyins,  tlu!  Captain  hcciled  tlicm  not.  He  was  cold  as  an  icii'ic. 
His  whole  attention  was  concentrated  on  tlio  game.  Uc  was 
never  elated  at  his  gains,  or  showed  tlie  sliglitost  signs  of  anger 
or  depression  at  liia  losses.  He  was  a  very  indilVercnt  player  at 
poker;  so  nnich  so,  tliat  tlie  poorest  player  among  his  adversa- 
ries was  more  than  bis  match.  Yet  ho  was  almost  constantly  a 
winner  I 

I  had  formed  a  dislike  to  the  Captain  tho  first  night  ho  made 
his  appearance  at  the  rooms,  which  was  not  at  all  mitigated  by 
his  insulting  mo.    On  that  evening,  after  ho  had  taken  his  scat 
at  tho  poker  table,  I  stood  behind  his  chair,  from  whence  I 
watched  his  cards  as  he  lifted  them  from  tho  table.     As  soon  as 
ho  discovered  my  presence,  ho  ordered  mo  away  in  a  smiy  tone, 
and  remarked  that  I  was  too  young  to  bo  hanging  round  a  gam- 
ing tablo.     His  remark  was  certainly  a  very  true  one,  but  it 
stung  my  pride,  and  made  mo  his  enemy.     The  more  I  saw  of 
the  Captain,  tho  more  I  disliked  him,  though  ho  never  gave  mo 
any  cause,  after  the  night  of  our  first  meeting,  except  to  treat 
mo  with  tho  utmost  indifference,  and  utterly  ignore  my  exist- 
ence,  while    every  one  else  in  the  room  were  treating  me  aa 
their  equal.    I  had  formed,  from  my  many  opportunities,-  a  pretty 
good  notion  of  play,  and  could  at  once  perceive  when  players 
made  bad,  or  foolish,  or  unusual  plays.     I  was  as  proficient  in 
this  respect,  at  poker,  or  brag,  as  at  any  other  of  tho  short  card 
games.     Tho  Captain's  actions  and  manner  of  playing  had  on 
several   occasions  attracted,  from  me,  more  than  usual  notice. 
I  observed  that  he  played  very  badly,  often  making  ill-timed 
blufifs,  and  that  ho  was  most  successful  in  winning  pools  on  /lis 
own  deal ;  that  ho  then  bet  more  heavily,  and  that  when  his 
hands  were  called,  he  would  show  domi  on  the  table  f'.rees  of  a 
denomination  that  he  had  exposed  on  the  hand  which  had  been 
called  previously.    I  had  seen  this  done  as  many  as  three  times 
consecutively.      I  noticed,  after  some  close  watching,  that  ho 
placed  his  cards  at  tho  bottom  of  tho  pack,  when  ho  shufHed  for 
a  new  deal,  and  that  ho  never  disturbed  these   cards  in  tho 
shuffle.     All  this  made  me  suspect  that  tho  Captain  had  somo- 
how  the  best  of  his  adversaries.    But  how  ?  was  tho  question. 
It  was  beyond  my  comprehension.     With  all  my  boasted  know- 
ledge, I  was  at  a  loss  to  understand  how  he  procured  so  many 


■o<jard  to  his 
I  ii.H  ail  ii'iflc. 
10.  Uc  was 
Ljns  of  aiiKcr 
lit  player  at 
his  advcraa- 
couBtuutly  a 

;ht  ho  made 
mitigated  liy 
ken  Ilia  seat 
u  wiienco  I 
As  soon  as 
a  surly  tone, 
ound  a  gam- 
)  one,  but  It 
arc  I  saw  of 
iver  gave  mo 
■opt  to  treat 
I'o  my  exist- 
?ating  me  aa 
tics,-  a  pretty 
Fhen  players 
proficient  in 
lio  short  card 
ying  had  on 
usual  notice, 
ing  ill-timed 
pools  on  /lis 
lat  when  his 
le  f'Tces  of  a 
ich  had  been 
s  three  times 
ling,  that  ho 
10  shuffled  for 
cards  in  the 
in  had  somo- 
tho  question, 
oasted  know- 
ired  so  many 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  SMITH. 


33 


largo  hands,  when  he  dealt  the  cards.  I  mentioned  my  sus- 
picions to  Ur.  Giles,  and  was  told  in  return  that  I  was  a  fool ! 
which  indignity  only  spurred  me  on  the  more  to  unravel  tho 
mystery.  Coiiid  I  only  get  a  sight  of  his  cards,  I  said  to  myself, 
tho  riddlo  would  perhaps  be  solved.  Such  was  tho  brilliant 
idea  which  fla.s]icd  through  my  troubled  brain,  after  cogitating 
for  many  days  over  the  manner  in  r.hich  tho  Captain  managed 
his  game  of  poker. 

To  see  his  cards  without  his  knowledge,  or  that  of  any  one 
else,  nij-self  excepted,  I  hit  upon  the  following  plan:  I  bored  a 
hole  through  one  of  tho  wcatlier-boards  of  tho  house,  in  tho  cor- 
ner where  the  Captain  usually  sat  while  playing,  in  a  position 
where  I  could  get  a  plain  view  of  his  cards.    This  I  finished  two 
days  before  the  arrival  of  tho  "Statesman"  in  port,  days  which 
seemed  to  me  weeks,  so  anxious  was  I  to  put  my  plan  to  the  test. 
At  last  tho  eventful  evening  arrived,  and  with  it  the  Captain. 
Tho  game  wiia  made  upof  (jiles,  Uathbon,  Willis,  Hicks,  and  tho 
Captain.    The  ganio  was    full-deck  poker,  tho  winner  of  the 
pool  always  dealing.  (I  mention  this  because  twenty-deck  poker 
was  a  very  favorite  game  also,  at  that  period,  throughout  the 
country ;   that  is,  to  discard  from  the  pack  all  tho  cards  in  the 
pack,  except  the  kings,  queens,  aces,  jacks,  and  tens.     But  when 
a  game  was  made  up  of  more  than   four  players,  tho  full  pack 
was  used.    These  games  have  long  since  fallen  into  disuse,  and 
have  been  superseded  by  the  popular  game  of  draw  poker.)  The 
party  each  put  twenty-five   cents  in  the  pool,  none  of  them 
showing  more  than  fifty  d(  .liars  on  tho  table.     When  tho  game 
was  fairly  under  way,  I  left  the  room  quietly  and  unnoticed, 
went  to  my  place  of  espial,  and  silently  withdrew  tho  peg  I  had 
inserted,  to  prevent  discovery.    As  I  expected,  my  position  was 
a    favorable   one.      The    Captain's  cards,  as  he   held  thera 
pnread  out  m  his  hand,  were  as  plainly  visible  as  if  I  myself 
held    them.      For  the  space  of  an    hour  he   held  no  pairs 
among  his  cards,  which  would  win  him  a  pool,    and   made 
several   attempts  on  small  ones,  by  making  ill-timed  blulTs,  to 
win  one,  but  was  caught,  and  obliged  to  pay  tho  penalty.    In 
this   luck    he  played  until  his  stake  had  vanished,   when  he 
renewed  it  with  fifty  dollars  more.    Mr.  Giles  had  his  feathers 
up,  and  every  bluff  tho  Captain  made  ho  called  him  out  or  run 
over  him  and  forced  him  to  lay  down  his  hand.  He  was  using  the 


34 


WANnEKIXCiS  OF  A   VAGAPOND. 


iM" 


imii 


entire  party  pretty  roughly,  but  the  Captain  showed  the  sama 
imperturljabie  iiuliflercnco  as  lie  was  wont  to  show  on  former 
occasions  when  ho  was  a  winner.  At  the  ear(i-tal)lo,  ho 
was  a  wortliy  {liscii)lo  of  Zcno.  Finally,  he  picl<0(l  up  a  pair 
of  aces,  and  with  tlicni  won  the  flrst  pool  he  had  won  sinco 
the  play  bcKun.  'riicso  aces  ho  pliircd  toi^'ctiier  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  pack.  When  he  had  dealt  tho  ^ards,  and  picked  up 
his  hand,  I  discovered  in  it  the  identical  aces  wliich  he  had  held 
before.  Ho  bet  two  dollars  for  tho  pool.  Ilicks  called  him,  on  a 
pair  of  queens,  and  lost.  I  saw  tho  Captain  aj^ain  place  his 
aces  in  tho  same  position  he  had  before  done,  and  also  his 
hand,  at  tho  bottom  of  the  pack.  My  position  would  not 
permit  mo  to  see  in  what  inanner  he  slmflled  the  pack. 
Again  ho  dealt,  and  when  he  onco  more  lilted  his  cards,  tho 
aces  made  their  third  appearance.  Witli  these  ho  won  tho 
pool,  Giles  being  tho  sufferer  in  this  instance,  having  called  him 
on  a  smaller  pair.  When  ho  showed  down  his  aces,  Giles  re- 
marked, throwing  his  cards  face  upwards  on  tho  table,  "  You 
couldn't  hold  four  <aces.  Captain,  for  there's  tho  aeo  of  spades," 
(pointing  at  tho  same  time  to  that  card  among  his  own). 

"That's  .so,"  said  tho  Captain,  taking  up  the  cards  which 
Giles  had  thrown  uixm  the  table,  and,  placing  the  ace  of  spadea 
between  his  two,  placed  tho  three  aces  at  tho  bottom  of  tho 
pack.  When  he  had  shuttled  his  cards,  the  portion  cut  off  by 
his  right-hand  adversary  he  left  on  the  tabic  and  dealt  from  the 
other  portion  of  tho  pack.  When  ho  again  raised  hie  cards,  I 
discovered  all  three  of  tho  aces  in  his  hand,  to  wit,  tho  two  ho 
first  held,  and  the  aco  of  spades.  Willis  bet  three  dollars  for  the 
pool.  The  Captain  bet  him  ten  more.  Willis  then  threw  up  his 
hand,  and  the  Captain  raked  down  tho  money  wi'  iout  showing 
his  cards.  When  ho  again  lifted  his  hand,  after  dealing,  my  old 
friends,  tho  aces,  made  another  appearance.  This  time  Hicks 
lost,  having  bet  two  dollars  for  the  pool,  the  Captain  betting  ten 
more,  and  being  called  by  Hicks.  Again  was  the  same  operation 
repeated,  the  brag  was  passed  up  to  him,  he  bet  again  ten  dol- 
lars. RathboD  called  him,  and  discovered,  to  his  chagrin,  tho 
three  aces. 

"What!"  cried  Giles,  "three  aces  again?  You  must  have 
charmed  them,  they  stick  so  close  to  you  I " 

"  They're  good  to  hold  in  a  tight  place,"  said  the  Captain,  in 
his  cold,  drawling  manner. 


Tl 
thre( 
lar.^. 

iiig  1 
rill 

fully 
pass 
give 
susp 
hare 
my  < 
thVe 
in  tl 
and 
tain 
time 
and 
and 
one 
hod 
pad 
fuse 
mat 
by  i 
tom 


« 


^— ' 


(I   the    SOTTiO 

.'  on  former 

(l-till)lo,    lio 

I  up  a  pair 
1  won  sinco 
at  the  bot- 
l  picked  up 
lie  liad  liold 
■d  liim,  on  a 
n  place  his 
lid  alHO  Ilia 
would  not 
:  the  pack. 
i  cards,  tlio 
10  won  tho 
:  called  him 
)s,  Giles  ro- 
■iblc,  "  You 
of  spades," 

IVll). 

aids  which 
CO  of  spades 
ttom  of  tho 
I  cut  off  by 
lalt  from  the 
his  cards,  I 

tho  two  ho 
(liars  for  tho 
hrew  up  his 
3ut  showing 
ling,  my  old 

time  Hicks 
I  betting  ten 
ne  operation 
ain  ten  dol- 
chagrin,  tho 

1  must  have 

Captain,  in 


CAPTAI.V   WILMAM   SMITtr. 


Xi 


Tho  cards  w(>re  aj,'aiii  dealt;  llir  Captain's  cards  showing 
tluTO  aces.  The  brag  being  pasM'd  up  tn  him,  ho  bcl  live  dol- 
lars.  (Jlles  called  him.  "  Sliow  your  papers,  Cap,"  said(JiIes,see. 
ing  him  hesitate.  "As  I  cannot  show  anylliing  worth  seeing, 
I'll  let  yon  take  the  money,  Mr.  Ciles,"  said  the  Captain,  care- 
fully putting  his  cards  in  the  pack  and  shulHing  tliem  lieforo  ho 
passed  it  over  to  Giles.  Tho  remark  of  Giles  aliout  the  aces  had 
given  him  a  healthy  scare,  and  belnro  ho  would  risk  arousing 
suspicion,  by  sliowing  them  again,  tlioM','h  sneli  an  event  wiis 
hardly  probalile,  he  pret'ened  to  lose  his  money.  I  remained  in 
my  old  position  until  I  had  seen  him  exercise  on  his  adversaries 
three  (lueens  and  sul)se(iuently  llireo  eights,  manipulating  tliem 
in  tho  same  manner  as  the  three  ac(>s,  wlien  I  replaecid  my  plug 
and  entered  tlie  dub-room.  Taking  a  seat  in  front  of  the  Cap- 
tain, in  order  that  I  might  watch  him  closely,  I  was  but  a  short 
time  in  solving  the  mystery  of  the  three  aces,  the  three  queens, 
and  the  three  eights;  they  were  placed  at  the  bottom  of  tho  pack, 
and  not  disturbed  in  tho  shuflle.  The  cards  being  dealt  ro\md, 
one  to  each,  until  the  dealer  ccmies  to  himself,  rapid  as  thought 
ho  deals  one  to  himself  from  tho  bottom  instead  of  tho  top  of  tho 
pack.  This  trick  is  now  so  old,  that  the  most  verdant  fools  \v.- 
fuso  to  submit  to  it ;  l)ut  for  several  years  after  it  was  introduced, 
many  of  tho  shrewdest  gamblers  in  tho  country  were  victimized 
by  it.  Any  person  liy  im-ictico  can  learn  to  deal  from  tho  bot- 
tom, but  very  few  can  become  skillful  enough  to  impose  it  on  a 
party  of  players,  without  being  detected.  Like  billiard  i)laycrs, 
they  can  obtain  a  certain  speed,  and  no  amountof  practice  can 
make  them  more  perfect.  I  have  seen  many  skillful  "bottom 
dealers,"  but  none  who  could  equal  Captain  Smith.  If  his  own 
statement  was  correct,  ho  never  had  any  instruction  in  it,  and  the 
principle  of  it  emanated  from  his  own  brain  ;  that  is,  he  devised 
it  himself,  altliough  the  trick  had  l)ecn  known  to  a  few  sharpers 
some  years  beHne. 

Tho  game  continned  until  alwut  four  o'clock  in  tho  morning, 
when  it  was  broken  up  by  Captain  Smith  leaving  tho  table,  a 
loser  for  the  first  time  since  the  night  he  joined  tho  club.  Even 
liis  advantage  over  his  adversaries  could  not  save  him,  and  he 
left  tho  table,  a  loser  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars.  Giles 
was  tho  only  winner,  and,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  was  estrorae- 
ly  happy— a  state  that  owed  something  to  the  large  number    ' 


MMMHI 


m  WANnKIIINOH  OF   A   VAdABOND. 

whlskpv  toddles  of  which  he  had  pnrtnken  rtiirlnff  the  orcnlnpf. 
Oil  our  way  hiiiuo  lio  hoM  forth  al  ^rcat  loii^cth  on  his  Huporlor 
psccllcupo  ns  a  pokor-playcr.  '•  Didn't  I  toll  yvv,  Jack,  that 
tho  Cai)tnin  was  a  fiat  ?  Flod  n  heai)  of  luck,  had  tlio  Cap- 
tain, but  r  knew,  if  over  tho  luck  iirok;^,  I'd  mnUo  a  fool  of  him. 
Kh,  .Jack!  Lot  hiui  koo])  on  [jlayinR ;  you'll  hoo  if  I  don't 
fetch  him  from  his  roost.    Kh,  Jack?     Ain't  that  bo ?" 

"  YoH,  Hir,  I  export  ho,"  I  replied,  rarolossly. 

"No,  yon  don't  oxpeet  anythin;^  of  tho  kind;  you're  a  fool, 
I  know  you  arc  1  Didn't  you  toll  me  tho  Cap.  was  ohoatinK  us! 
Ila!  ha  I  ha!  ha!  That's  rieh!  Why  dhln't  ho  cheat  to- 
night  f  Didn't  I  make  him  squirm  f  When  I  boat  that  nco 
full  for  him  I  captured  sixty  good  bucks  from  him  on  that 
hand.  They  may  play  their  cursed  nigger-luck  on  mo  for 
a  wlillo,  but  I'll  bring  Vm,  whenever  tho  jjapors  breaks  oven, 
and  every  ono  of  them  fellers  too!  If  they  get  ahead  of  Giles, 
I'll  agree  to  root  for  acorns  tho  rest  of  my  life,"  etc.,  etc. 

I  allowed  Mr.  (Jiles  to  have  all  tho  convensation  to  himself, 
until  we  reached  tho  house,  when  I  turned  him  ivcr  to  tho  caro 
of  my  foster  mother,  and  retired  to  my  chaml)or ;  but  it  was 
long  after  daylight  before  I  fell  asleep.  The  discovery  I  had 
made  drove  away  slumber.  What  should  I  do— expose  tijo  trick  f 
Hatred  urged  mo  to  expose  tlio  Captain.  "  Expose  him  !"  also 
cried  vanity.  "  Expose  him,  and  receive  tho  in-aisos  of  your  elders 
who  had  not  brains  enough  to  discover  they  were  being  fleeced 
by  this  man."  "Pshaw!  there's  no  money  in  exposure,"  said 
prudence;  "don't  be  a  fool ;  put  money  in  thy  purse.  Ha!  did 
not  that  prince  of  villains,  lago,  say  o  f  And  is  ho  not  high 
authority  on  the  subject  ?  Who  refuse  follow  his  sago  and 
moral  teachings  t  Does  your  meek  i  linister  of  the  gospel,  your 
blatant  moralist,  or  your  astuto  lawmaker,  or  your  ermined  dis- 
penser of  justice  I  By  no  means  !  Does  not  each  and  all  look 
out  to  take  precious  good  caro  of  numl)er  ono,  and  feather  his 
own  nest  particularly  well  ?  If  tho  Captain's  secret  could  bo 
made  beneficial  to  mo,  why  should  I  expose  it  ?  Why  should 
I  give  it  away  to  others  1  No !  no !  Captain,  my  boy,  I'll  not 
expose  you,  but  I'll  try  and  make  some  money  out  of  you." 


A 

the 
My 

f'l'l' 

cat( 

had 

aire 

as  < 

pok 

knc 

for 

a  li 

his 

nrg 

dot 

"B 

tin; 

Mr, 

do 


ti'mMi]mi  I     »* 


ho  evening. 
liiH  Huporlor 

Jack,  that 
•1  the  f'ap- 

fool  of  lilm. 
>  If  I  don't 

iii'ro  (I  fool, 
■licatiiif,'  usi 
I  cheat  to- 
at  that  aco 
ill!  on   that 

on  nio  for 
)roakH  oven, 
1(1  of  Giles, 
etc. 

to  himself, 
r  to  the  caro 

but  it  was 
ovory  T  had 
50  tljo  trick  ? 
I  him !"  also 
fyoiir  elders 
)eing  fleeced 
Tosnro,"  said 
30.  Ha!  did 
ho  not  hlpli 
lis  sago  and 
gospel,  your 
jrmined  dis- 
and  all  look 
d  feather  his 
•et  could  bo 
Why  should 
boy,  I'll  not 
f  you." 


DIPLOMACY.  37 


CHAPTKR  VI. 
niru)MA(T. 

About  Rpven  In  the  evening  I  rei)aired  to  tho  wharf,  to  meet 
the  Captain,  on  his  way  up  fnun  liis  boat  to  tlie  tailiins'  hIioj). 
My  watch  wa.s  longer  than   I  expected,  and   gave  nic  aniplo 
oi»portunity  to  collect  myself  for  tho  Interview.     For  tlio  deli- 
cate piece  of  diplomacy,  in  which  I  was  about  to  lainicii,  r  had 
had  a  full  week  to  ddilicrate  and  arrange  my  i)lan.-t.      I  had 
already  settled  Giles;  that  is,  I  had  placed  him  in  such  a  position 
as  disabled  him,  at  least  for  tlic  present,  from  jilaying  any  morn 
poker.    That  ho  would  not  borrow  money  for  that   puri)oso  I 
knew,  and  conscciuently  felt  secure,  as  far  as  ho  was  concerned, 
for  a  time  at  least.      After  his  la.st  game  bo  had  in  ready  money 
a  little  over  six  hundred  dollars,  and  was,  I  know,  indebted  to 
his  cloth-merchant,  Mr.  Camplicll,  eleven  hundred  (or  goods.    I 
urged  him  to  pay  over  what  ready  money  be  bad,  towards  tho 
debt.     "No,"  ho  replied;  "I  never  make  half-way  payr.ents." 
"But  you  may  lo.se  your  money,  and  tho  cloth  bill  is  really  get- 
ting too  large.    Pay  in  what  money  you  have,  before  you  lose  it, 
Mr.  Giles,"  I  remonstrated,  but  all  to  no  purpose.      "  I  .'han't 
do  it,'' ho  tartly  replied;   "I  am  going  to  win  a  pile  with   this 
money  I've  got;  you  see  if  I  don't,  .lack,"  ho  cried,  shaking  his 
head  and  mumbling  on  at  me  as  if  desirous  of  eflaciug  any  un- 
pleasant impression. 

Seeing  that  further  attempts  in  this  quarter  would  bo  useless, 
I  changed  my  tactics  by  calling  on  Mr.  Campbell,  whom  I  re- 
quested to  dun  Giles  for  seven  hundred  dollars,  e.\[»)aining  that 
ho  had  nearly  that  amount  on  hand,  and  being  in  one  of  his 
spreeing  moods,  was  likely  to  squander  it.  I  told  him  that  my 
only  object  was  to  save  Giles,  and  requested  that  my  visit  might 
bo  kept  a  profound  secret  from  him,  as  ho  would  bo  ^ery  angry 
should  ho  find  I  had  been  meddling  with  his  aflairs.  Jir.  Camp- 
boll,  who  had  been  for  many  years  tho  warmest  friend  Giles  had 
in  tho  place,  and  who  had  never  once,  during  tho  long  period  of 
their  business  relations,  sent  a  bill  to  him,  but  allowed  him  al- 
ways to  settle  his  accounts  with  him  at  his  own  convenience, 
promised  all  I  asked,  and  sympathized  with  my  efforts  to  prevent 


I 


.  Hffj^aliMiiwfOni'ioiiVi  i)i_tf 


isd 


■WANBERIKGS  or  A  VAGABOND. 


Giles  from  squandering  his  money.  Tliat  same  day  he  called 
upon  Giles  and  iircscntcd  his  bill  in  full,  on  the  plea  ^hat  his 
merchants  in  Baltimore  vrcro  pushing  him  for  money,  and 
begged  Giles  to  pay  what  he  could  on  account,  if  unable  to  meet 
the  full  amount.  Such  an  appeal  from  this  quarter  was  more 
than  Giles  could  resist,  and  he  immediately  handed  o\-er  six 
hundred  and  forty  dollars,  which  was  all  ho  had,  and  told  Mr. 
Campbell  that  he  would  borrow  the  balance  for  hiiU  immediate- 
ly. Mr.  Campbell  insisted  that  the  amount  he  had  receiTed  was 
sufficient  for  his  present  wants,  and  the  two  parted  the  best  of 
friends ;  Giles,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  being  left  without  a  dol- 
lar in  ready  cash.  My  first  effort  in  diplomacy  having  proved  so 
successful,  I  was  now  waiting  on  the  wharf  to  put  my  second  in 
execution. 

It  was  a  beautiful  evening  in  the  beginning  of  April.  No 
signs  of  life  were  visible  on  the  levee,  save  the  few  lights  that 
twinkled  aboard  the  "Statesman,"  the  only  steamer  at  the 
wharf.  The  absence  of  drays,  carts,  and  toiling  men  and 
brutes,  told  that  the  week's  labor  was  ended  on  the  wharf  of 
Marietta.  The  clock  on  the  court-house  was  just  striking  eight 
as  I  discerned  the  Captain  crossing  the  gangway-plank  of  the 
Statesman.  He  walked  slowly  up  the  levee,  with  his  eyes  bent 
on  the  cobble-stones,  as  if  ho  was  afraid  to  lift  them  to  tho 
bright  and  tranquil  moon  which  shone  above  hii  i.  Whatever 
may  have  been  the  subject  of  his  thoughts,  ho  was  so  deeply 
plunged  into  meditation  that  he  did  not  hear  my  approach,  al- 
though I  tried  to  call  his  attention  by  clearing  my  throat  loudly, 
and  beating  tho  cobble-stones  with  my  feet.  "  A  pleasant  even- 
ing, Captain  1 "  I  said  at  last,  when  he  was  within  a  few  feet  of 
me.  The  unexpected  sound  of  my  voice  startled  him  so  much 
that  ho  made  a  motion  to  run  away;  but  f,aickly  recovering 
himself,  and  ashamed,  probably,  of  being  detected  in  showing 
fear,  demanded  in  a  harsh,  angry  voice,  without  noticing  my  sal- 
utation, "What  are  you  doin'  thar?" 

"Waiting  to  see  you,  Captain,"  I  replied. 

"Well!  yer  see  me,  don't  yer?  What  in  h— 11  d'  yerwanti" 

"Don't  speak  so  confounded  cross,  Captain,  I  am  not  going  to 
hurt  you,"  I  answered. 

"No  impudence,  youngster,  but  tell  yer  business,  if  yer've  got 
any,  and  be  quick  about  it  too." 


day  he  cailecl 
3  plea  ♦hat  bis 
r  money,  and 
unable  to  meet 
irtcr  was  more 
mded  o\cr  six 
,  and  told  Mr. 
lim  immediatc- 
xl  receiTcd  was 
ed  the  best  of 

without  a  dol- 
iving  proved  so 
t  my  second  in 

of  April.  No 
few  lights  that 
teamer  at  the 
ling  men  and 
1  the  wharf  of 
t  striking  eight 
y-plank  of  the 
I  his  eyes  bent 
ft  them  to  the 
h  1.    Whatever 

was  so  deeply 
y  approach,  al- 
y  throat  loudly, 
.  pleasant  even- 
n  a  few  feet  of 
i  him  so  much 
ckly  recovering 
ited  in  showing 
loticing  my  sal- 


d'  yerwantf" 
am  not  going  to 

)ss,  if  yer've  got 


DIPLOMACT.  «W 

"Very  well,  sir,  I'll  do  so;  I  want  to  go  halves  with  you  in 
your  poker  games;  here's  my  part  for  the  stakes,"  I  replied, 
holding  towards  him,  with  my  left  hand,  a  roll  of  bank-bills. 

lie  stood  gazing  at  mo  in  speechless  astonishment  and  auger 
for  some  moments,  then  hissed  from  between  his  closed  teeth, 
"Ton  want  to  go  halves  with  me  in  playing  poker,  eh?" 

"That's  the  busmess  which  brought  me  hero  to  night,"  I 
coolly  replied. 

no  stared  so  fiercely  at  me  with  his  little  black  eyes  sparkling 

with  anger,  fliat  for  a  moment  I  imagined  they  were  going  to 

pop  out  of  his  head  and  shoot  me  ;  I  stood  my  ground,  however. 

"  It  is,  is  it?"  he  finally  ejaculated,  still  eyeing  me  from  head 

to  foot. 

"Nothing  more  or  less,  Captain,"  I  rejoined. 
"Why,  you  d— d  dirty  cub,  I'll  whip  the  life  out  of  you." 
"I  reckon  not,  Captain,"  I  rejoined,  in  the  same  cool  and 
tantalizing  tone. 

He  made  a  spring  for  me,  but  I  was  expecting  it,  and  jumped 
nimbly  out  of  his  reach.  Being  foiled  in  his  efforts  to  get  hold 
of  rao  seemed  to  madden  him.  He  again  started  for  me.  But  I 
had  too  much  speed  for  his  bottom,  and  could  have  easily  left 
him  far  behind,  had  such  been  my  object.  I  allowed  him  to  pur- 
sue me  to  the  top  of  the  levee,  about  fifty  feet  from  where  we 
first  met,  then  turned  and  faced  him.  On  he  came,  fully  bent 
on  doing  me  a  mischief  if  I  fell  into  his  hands— a  thing  I  was  fully 
prepared  to  prevent.  I  drew  from  beneath  the  bosom  of  my  coat, 
a  large  dragoon  pistol,  cocked  it,  and  presented  the  muzzle  to- 
ward his  head,  when  within  a  few  feet  of  me.  "Stop,  or  I'll 
fire,"  I  cried,  in  a  determined  voice. 

The  cocking  of  a  pistol  jars  harshly  on  the  ears  of  a  foe. 
The  unexpected  sound,  together  with  the  flashing  of  the  barrel 
in  the  bright  moonlight,  had  a  terrible  effect  on  the  Captain. 
My  admonition  was  useless.  The  fight  was  completely  knocked 
out  of  him ;  he  placed  both  arms  before  his  face,  as  ?.f  to  ward  off 
the  expected  bullet,  and  stooped  at  the  same  time,  as  if  to  dodge 
it.  Baffled  and  cowed,  he  stammered,  "  Don't  kill  me,  Jack,  I 
didn't  mean  any  harm." 

"You  did,  you  ruffian !    You  did,"  I  almost  shouted,  for  my 
blood  was  up. 
"Ton  honor.  Jack,  I  was  only  in  fun;  indeed  I  was !   Now  put 


40 


■WAXDEKIXGS  OK  A   VAGADOXI). 


up  thai  pisto%  Jack,  that's  a  good  soul;  it  might  go  oflfaccidePi,- 
ally,  and  you'd  lie  sony.    Do  put  it  up,  Jack." 

"  No,  I  shouldu't  l)c  sorry  I'or  it,  cither.  You'd  whip  tUo  life 
out  of  1110,  would  you?  I've  a  good  notion  to  send  a  bullet 
through  your  cowardly  braius!" 

"Don't,  Jack;  I  meant  you  no  harm;  I  tell  you  'twas  only  a 
joke  ;  do  take  away  that  pistol,"  ho  cried,  imploringly. 

"I  will,  on  condition  that  you  listen  quietly  to  whatever  I  hare 
to  say  to  you." 

"I'll  do  anything  you  want  mo  to.  Jack,  if  you'll  put  up  that 
shootin'-iron :  it  might  go  ofl"  accidentally !" 

"  No,  it  shan't  go  off  accidentally  nor  intentionally,  if  you  keep 
your  hands  off  me,  and  listen  quietly,"  I  answered,  lowering  the 
pistol,  but  holding  it  cocked  in  my  hand,  as  security  for  his  good 
behavior.  "Now,  Captain,  we'll  resume  business  if  you  please, 
without  any  more  angry  words." 

"Yes,  well,  what  is  it  you  want?"  ho  hurriedly  asked,  still 
trembling  from  the  effects  of  his  scare. 

"Listen,  and  I'll  tell  j'ou  in  a  very  few  words." 

"  Go  on." 

"  I  want  an  interest  with  you  in  your  poker-playing  at  the 
tailor-shop !" 

"  And  what  if  I  refuse  f " 

"  Then  you  shan't  play  there  anymore." 

"  TVliy  not  ?    Who'll  prevent  mo  ?" 

"I  will." 

"How?" 

"  By  exposing  to  the  whole  party  the  trick  by  which  you  have 
been  packing  off  their  money." 

"  I  don't  understand  what  you  mean.  Jack ;  it's  all  Greek  tome." 

"  If  you  don't,  it's  because  you  don't  want  to  understand,"  I 
replied ;  "  but  I  shan't  have  any  difficulty  in  making  those  people 
understand  me,  when  I  explain  to  them  how  you've  been  robbing 
them,  by  dealing  from  the  bottom  of  the  pack." 

The  accusation  knocked  him  speechless.  When  he  recovered 
the  use  of  his  tongue,  he  stammered  out, "  Why,  J-J-J-ack,  you're 
crazy  I" 

"Am  I?"  I  asked,  calmly.  "Let's  see  if  I  am?  I've  been 
watching  you  for  the  last  month,  fully  satisfied  that  you  were 
cheating,  but  was  unable  to  detect  how  until  last  Saturday  night, 


who 

that 

yoar 

thel 

the  ' 

took 

you 

in  SI 

aftei 

to  si 

agei 

remi 

then 

you 

meu 


mys 
Buffi 

was 

(I 

ask( 


BO  C 

Boin 
whi 
eigl 

mor 
affe. 
barl 
ope: 

seal 

it 

eh? 

hon 


oflf  accidepi-- 

wbip  tUo  life 
iend  a  bullet 

'twas  only  a 

atovcr  I  have 

1  put  up  that 

y,  if  you  keep 

lowering  the 

y  for  his  good 

f  you  please, 

y  askttd,  still 


aying  at  the 


lich  you  have 

Greek  tome." 
nderstand,"  I 
5  those  people 
I  been  robbing 

he  recovered 
-J-ack,  you're 

1?  I've  been 
hat  you  were 
iturday  night, 


DIPLOHACT. 


41 


when  I  bored  a  hole  in  the  house  immediately  behind  you,  so 
that  I  could  sue  the  cards  iu  your  band  us  plainly  as  you  could 
yojrsclf.  In  the  lirst  place.  Captain,  Til  recall  to  your  memory 
tlie  lirst  pair  of  aces  you  held  during  the  play ;  with  them  you  won 
the  '  pot.'  Giles  exposed  to  you  the  ace  of  spades  which  you 
took,  and  put  with  your  two  aces.  When  you  next  dealt  the  cards, 
you  hold  three  aces,  and  you  held  the  same  three  aces  four  times 
iu  succession.  The  last  time  you  bunched  them  in  the  deck, 
after  beiug  called  for  a  five  dollar  brag,  because  you  were  afraid 
to  show  them  to  the  board  again.  Rather  a  bad  piece  of  man- 
agement on  your  part.  Captain,  to  deal  yourself  cards  on  which 
remarks  had  already  been  passed,  on  account  of  your  holding 
them  so  often,  and  then  throw  away  five  dollars  on  them,  because 
you  had  not  the  courage  to  show  them.  Kather  bad  manage- 
ment that,  Captain  " 

"Indeed!"  sneered  the  Captain. 

"  Yes,"  I  replied  in  the  same  cool  tone ;  "  I  should  not  have  dealt 
myself  four  aces  the  third  time,  and  bet  on  them,  unless  I  had 
sufficient  confidence  to  show  them  to  the  board  when  my  hand 
was  called." 

"  What  would  you  have  done  in  such  a  case?"  ho  sneeringly 
asked. 

"  Why,  when  Giles  made  the  remark  about  your  holding  aces 
80  often,  I  should  have  bunched  them  and  waited  until  I  had  got 
some  other  kind  of  threes,  and  worked  them  on  the  party  for  a 
while,  as  you  did  the  three  queens,  and  afterwards  the  three 
eights." 

When  I  had  finished  ho  neither  moved  nor  spolce  for  several 
moments.  At  last  he  tried  to  force  himself  into  action  with  an 
affected  laugh,  which,  in  sound,  bore  more  resemblance  to  the 
bark  of  a  do;;  than  anything  else.  However,  it  acted  the  part  of 
opening  chorus,  and  gave  him  time  to  regain  in  a  measure  his 
scattered  senses. 

"  A  nice  cock-and-bull  story  !  So  they  made  you  a  spy  on  me, 
eh?  A  fine  den  of  thieves  I've  got  mto !  I  suppose  they  sent  you 
hero  to  assassinate  me  too,  eh  ?" 

"  You've  lost  no  money  in  the  den  of  thieves,  as  you  call  it,  and 
in  whatever  robbery  has  taken  place  there,  you  yourself  have  acted 
the  part  of  robber;  but  if  you  carry  off  any  more  plunder  from 
there,  you'll  have  to  divide  equally  with  mo.    If  I  assumed  the 


42 


AVANDERIN08  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


character  of  a  spy  upon  your  actions,  it  was  at  tlie  suggestion  of 
no  other  person,  but  for  the  direi     object  of  getting  a  sliare  in 
the  spoils,  and  I  am  too  greedy  to  have  any  partner  in  the  busi- 
ness except  your-'elf ;  so  the  iiuiclier  we  come  to  a  friendly 
understanding  the  better." 

"You  say  that  you've  told  no  one  of  this  nonsensical  suspicion 
of  yours  t" 

"  Not  a  soul !" 

"Wliat,  not  even  to  Giles?" 

'•  No,  not  even  to  Giles  1"  -   • 

"  That's  wonderful!" 

a  Why  V 

"  Why  ?  Because  it  was  your  duty  to  tell  him  1" 

"  Perhaps;  but  I  want  to  make  money,  and  bad  I  told  Giles 
I  could  not  have  done  so !" 

"Why  not?" 

"  Because  Giles  is  too  honest  a  man  to  suffer  his  friends  to  be 
robbed  if  ho  knows  it.  Had  I  told  him  of  this  matter,  the  whole 
country  would  have  known  it  within  an  hour." 

"Well,  my  boy,  I'm  glad  you've  been  so  sensible!  If  you'd  told 
this  foolish  story  to  them  fellows  at  the  tailor's  shop,  it  might 
have  caused  some  mi&chief." 

"  I'm  perfectly  aware  of  it.  Captain." 

"Very  well.  Jack,"  he  said,  in  a  half-coaxing  voice;  "  I've  no 
doubt  you  believe  every  word  you've  told  me,  but  you're  wrong; 
you've  let  your  suspicions  run  away  with  your  reason.  Can't  a 
man  hold  three  aces  half  a  dozen  times,  for  the  matter  of  that,  in 
succession  ?  There's  nothing  strange  in  that !  I  saw  a  man  hold 
four  Jack-fulls  one  after  another,  a  few  days  ago,  m  Cmcinnati. 
Nobody  thought  anything  strange  of  that !  'cos  they  knew  it  was 
possible.  I'm  sorry  such  a  foolish  suspicion  has  got  holt  on  you. 
Jack,  and  I'm  d— d  glad  you've  kept  it  to  yourself;  so  there's  no 
harm  done.  Now,  Jack,  I'm  willing  to  forgive  and  forget  every- 
thing, if  you'll  solemnly  promise  mo  never  to  mention  this  affair 
to  any  one  living.     Come !  what  do  you  say  I" 

"  Yes,  Captain,  I'll  kocp  your  secret,  and  also  swallow  all 
you've  been  telling  me,  on  one  condition,  which  is  thut  I  shall  be 
equally  interested  in  all  the  poker  gnmes  played  by  you  in 
future  at  the  tailor-shop." 

"  That's  impossible !    Don't  think  of  it,"  ho  returned,  shaking 


his 
wit: 

lin$ 

tlet 

(I 

dol 
anj 
wai 

tha 

< 

pre 

th€ 
yoi 
ha' 
au( 
wii 


mt 
an 


I  suggestion  of 
ing  a  s^iuro  in 
•r  in  the  busi- 
to  a  friendly 

sical  suspicion 


d  I  told  Giles 


s  friends  to  be 
ttcr,  tlio  whole 

1  If  you'd  told 
shop,  it  might 


)ice;  "I've  no 
you're  wrong ; 
ison.  Can't  a 
,tter  of  that,  in 
iw  a  man  hold 
,  m  Cincinnati. 
3y  knew  it  was 
3t  holt  on  you, 
';  so  there's  no 
d  forget  every- 
ition  this  affair 

so  swallow  all 
thrit  I  shall  be 
ed  by  you  in 

urnod,  shaking 


DIPLOMACY. 


43 


his  head.    "What!  to  be  mixed  up  in  a  gambling  transaction 
with  a  mere  boy  !  " 

"  I  want  to  bo  interested  with  you  in  a  stealing,  not  a  gamb- 
ling trausaction,  Captain,"  I  retorted,  getting  considerably  net- 
tled at  his  assumed  airs. 

"Call  it  what  you  please,"  ho  said.  "I'd  sooner  lose  fifty 
dollars  of  my  own  money,  any  time,  than  one  of  a  boy's." 

"Which means,  I  suppose,  that  the  genie's  too  good  to  give 
any  of  it  away." 

"  I  mean  nothing  of  the  kind,"  he  retorted,  angrily.    "  I  don't 
want  tobeconcerncd  in  any  such  busiuesswith  a  boy  of  youragc." 
"  Boys  of  my  ago  have  sometimes  more  sense  than  men  older 
than  yourself." 

"  They  think  so,  no  doubt,  especially  when  not  kept  in  their 
proper  places." 

"  Maybe  you're  'right.  Captain ;  but  that's  neither  hero  nor 
there,  in  this  case;  and,  as  1  have  had  sense  enough  to  catch 
you  dealing  from  the  bottom  on  those  sap-heads  up  there,  I 
have  also  sense  enough  to  benefit  my  pocket  by  the  discovery ; 
and,  to  close  matters,  you  must  let  me  have  an  equal  interest 
with  you,  or  you  play  no  more  at  the  tailor's  shop." 
"  I  must,  eh  ? " 
"  That's  the  word ! " 
"  And  if  I  refuse,  what  then  ?  " 
"I'll  expose  you!" 

"  Very  well ;  if  that's  your  game,  I'll  not  go  there  any  more." 
"  Then  I'll  be  sure  to  do  it." 
"  What !    Because  I  don't  go  there  ?  " 
"  You  must  continue  playmg  with  the  party,  and  allow  me  an 
mterest  in  your  games,  otherwise  I'll  expose  your  tricks,"  I 
answered  m  a  quiet,  but  firm  tone. 

"  Well,  I  see  your  drift.  But  if  you  think,  Jack,  that  you  can 
bully  me  or  force  me  into  anything  contrary  to  my  own  wishes, 

d n  it,  you're  m  the  wrong  channel." 

This  vaiia  boast  betrayed  to  me  his  weakness,  and  convinced 
me  that  my  point  was  gained.  "  You  control  your  own  actions, 
Captain,"  I  said,  "but  those  fellows  up  there,"  pointing  with  my 
finger  towards  the  shop,  "  won't  like  you  any  better,  when  t'ley 
hear  you've  been  chiseling  them  at  poker  ;  and,  let  me  tell  you, 
tLcre's  some  ugly  customers  among  that  party.    Can  you  afibrd 


m 


m 


44 


WAKDEEINOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


to  hare  the  report  circulai  ed  all  tLrough  the  country,  that  Cap- 
tain Smith  is  a  coiumou  swiudlor  at  cards  i  I  asii  nothing 
unreasouablo  ;  I  have  uiy  sliaro  of  the  money  necessary ;  and, 
instead  of  gaining  less  by  my  being  interested,  you  will  make 
much  more  than  if  ullovrod  to  go  on  in  your  miserable  picayune 
way.     Why,  man,  there's  ten  thousand  dollars  to  be  won  there  !" 

"Ten  thousand  lice  to  be  won!"  waa  the  contemptuous  reply 
of  the  Captain. 

"  That's  all  you  know  about  it.  I  am  speaking  the  truth,  and 
if  you  will  but  listen  to  reason,  and  follov-  my  directions,  I'll  en- 
sure you  five  thousand  for  your  share,  in  less  than  two  months' 
time." 

"  From  wliom  can  it  be  won?" 

"From  several  persons,  but  more  particularly  from  Rathbon 
and  Clarke,  who  are  rich,  and  who  have  won  in  the  tailor's 
shop  during  the  last  three  years  much  more  thau  that  amount." 

"And  what  about  Giles!"  he  asked. 

"  He  must  know  nothing  of  the  business,"  I  answered. 

"  Well,  by  G — d,  you  want  to  beat  your  own  father !  " 

"No,"  I  answered  quietly.  "Giles  shall  not  play  in  the 
game." 

"  Why  not?"  he  demanded. 

"  Because  I  have  so  arranged  it  that  he  cannot,"  I  replied. 

"I  see!  I  see !     A  d n  nice  trap  you're  trying  to  draw  me 

into ! " 

"  What  trap.  Captain  ?  " 

"  How  do  I  know  ?  But  I  expect  you  want  to  get  me  into  the 
tailor's  shop  and  have  mo  robbed  and  murdered." 

"  Well,  Captain,"  I  said,  laughing,  "  I  could  not  expect  any- 
thing better  ffom  your  distrustful  nature ;  but  listen  to  reason. 
If  those  fellows  had  made  a  plot  to  "ob  and  murder  you  after  you 
had  entered  the  place,  it  was  no  use  for  them  to  send  me  to  de- 
coy you,  as  you  have  never  failed  to  come  of  yor.r  own  free  will 
every  Saturday  night  since  the  one  you  were  introduced  there— 
and  you  were  on  your  way  there  when  I  met  you  a  short  time 
ago.  The  party  are  waiting  for  you,  'tis  true :  but  to  treat  you 
with  all  kindness,  as  they  do  every  visitor,  and  to  win  your 
money,  if  they  can." 

"  But  you  say  you've  managed  so  that  Giles  can't  play. 
D n  me  if  I  see  how  ?  " 


"I 

becai 
mom 
from 
read 
soon 

botb 

(I 

goti 

it 

dolli 


you 
Wh 

ing 

(( 

sup 

<i 

will 

1 


wn 


try,  that  Cap- 
I  ask  nothing 
cesaary;  aud, 
you  will  make 
rablo  picayune 
)e  won  there !" 
inptuoua  reply 

the  truth,  and 
ictions,  I'll  en- 
n  two  mouths' 


from  Rathbon 
in  the  tailor's 
that  amount." 

wered. 
•her ! " 
)t  play  in  the 


"  I  replied, 
ig  to  draw  me 


jet  me  into  the 

>t  expect  any- 
iten  to  reason. 
sr  you  after  you 
end  me  to  de- 
own  free  will 
:)duced  there — 
I  a  short  time 
ut  to  treat  you 
d  to  win  your 

les  can't  play. 


UlI'LOMACT. 


45 


'<I  have  said  already,  I  dare  not  make  a  confidant  of  him, 
because  he  would  not  consent  to  have  any  one  beat  out  of  their 
mouev,  by  foul  play,  at  his  place.  I  have  managed  to  keep  huu 
from 'playing  ^V  compelling  him  to  pay  his  debts  with  what 
ready  money  he  had,  and  it  is  not  likely,  I  kn.>w,  that  he  will 
soon  have  any  more.  Ho  long  as  he  lias  none,  he  wil  never 
bother  us,  because  he  won't  borrow  money  to  gamble  with.  ■ 
"  You  say  you've  got  plenty  of  money.    How  much  have  you 

^''"  sTough  to  pay  my  way  with  if  you  should  lose  a  thousand 

dollars."  ^  ,  ^.,, 

"  Why,  how  the  h— 1  did  you  come  by  so  much  money  1 

"Aslam  anxious  to  arrange  this  matter  satisfactorily  with 
vou,  I  am  willing  to  tell  you  everything  you  wish  to  know. 
What  money  I  have,  I  have  won  duriug  the  last  two  years,  play- 
ing caras  at  the  tailor's  shop." 

*' I  never  saw  you  playing  any  cards  there,  and  I  should  uot 
suppose  any  one  would  play  with  such  a  boy  as  you  arc ! 

"Still  I  have  done  so,  and  every  man  you  have  seen  there 
will  and  has  repeatedly  played  with  me." 

"  And  vou've  beat  'em  ?  "  ,     • ,  „ 

"  I've  got  their  money  to  show  for  it,  and  what's  more,  besides 
winning  it,  have  kept  it  in  my  possession." 

"You're  pretty  good  for  your  age,  and  if  you  keep  up  your 
lick  'till  the  hair  comes  out  strong  on  your  lace,  you  11  be  a 

^'^"Weli,  Captain,  I've  now  given  you  every  assurance  of  my 
willingness  to  help  you  in  making  money,  and  also  all  the  infor- 
mation you  have  asked  me  for,  to  erase  from  your  mmd  the 
suspicions  you  seemed  to  entertain.  Now  are  you  willing  to 
accept  my  offer  1  It  is  getting  late,  the  party  is  waiting  for  ycu, 
and  I  want  an  interest  in  your  game  to-night." 

"But  you  say  you  can  direct  how  five  times  as  much  as  I 
have  been  making  can  be  made." 

"Yes,  twenty  times  as  much!  Nothing  is  easier.  Increase 
the  ante  whenever  they  demand  it,  which  Clarke,  \^  ilhs  and 
Rathbon  are  sure  to  do,  whenever  they  are  losei-s  in  a  game 
i^w  one  of  them  will  be  willing  to  increase  it  up  to  ten  dollars. 
N-oue  of  the  lest  of  the  poker  players  will  consent  to  play  more 
Sian  d  dollar  ante,  and  will  drop  out  of  the  game,  which  will 


r 


46 


WANDEKING8  OF  A   VAGAJIOND. 


make  it  all  the  easier  ftjr  you.  I  want  you  to  break  Rathbon 
and  Clarke — they  arc  too  greedy  for  my  use ;  and  you  can  do  it  if 
you  will  only  shove  a  little  more  sand  in  your  craw.  If  you  don't 
want  to  risk  your  money,  I'll  take  any  share  in  the  game  you  don't 
want." 

"I  can  stand  na  much  as  you  can,"  replied  the  Captain,  sul- 
lenly. 

"  Well,  pitch  in  then,  and  tret  their  money ;  you'll  find  I'll  ren- 
der you  more  assistance  tlian  you'd  exi)ect." 

"  Well,  Jack,  do  you  think  you  could  keep  yoin-  mouth  shut, 
if  we  started  in  together  f " 

"Yes,  until  the  grave  shuts  over  it;  would  not  exposure  in- 
jure me  as  much  as  yourself?    Have  confidence  in  me,  Captain." 

"  Now,  if  I  lose  your  money  don't  blame  me  for  it,  Jack  !" 

"If  you  lose  it,  I  shall  not  cry  for  it;  I  made  it  by  gambling." 

I  gave  him  two  hundred  dollars,  and  promised  that  I  would 
be  careful  not  to  betray,  l)y  words  or  looks,  that  any  intimacy  ex- 
isted between  us,  after  which  we  separated. 

It  waa  arranged  that  I  should  call  on  board  the  "  Statesman  " 
each  day  on  which  she  left  for  Cincinnati,  to  settle  accounts  and 
other  matters  connected  with  our  compact. 

That  night  the  Captain  phiyed  poker  until  after  daylight 
with  Clarke,  Rathbon,  ilicks,  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Frazer. 
Towards  morning  the  ante  was  raised  to  one  dollar,  and  the  Cap- 
tain rose  from  the  table  the  winner  of  three  hundred  and  eighty 
dollars.  I  met  him  in  his  room  on  the  Statesman  shortly  before 
she  started,  when  he  handed  me  over  my  money,  and  my  portion  of 
last  night's  spoils.  As  we  parted  he  said,  "  Aleet  me  on  the  wharf 
where  we  met  last  time,  when  we  come  back."  I  did  so,  and  con- 
tinued to  meet  him  every  Saturday  night  for  three  mouths,  when 
the  river  got  so  low  that  the  "  Statesman"  had  to  lay  up  at  Cincin- 
nati. The  Captain  sold  his  interest  in  her,  and  never  made  his 
appearance  again  in  Marietta,  at  least  while  I  remained  there. 
During  my  connection  with  this  man,  I  dreaded  him,  and  never 
met  him  without  being  armed.  That  he  hated  me  I  was  satisfied, 
and  I  doubt  not  would  have  done  me  an  ill  turn,  had  I  ever  been  so 
unfortunate  as  to  fall  into  his  power.  At  our  rendezvous  of  an 
evening,  I  watched  him  as  closely  as  if  he  had  been  a  rattlesnake, 
and  I  was  looking  for  the  fatal  spring. 

No  words  except  those  pertaining  strictly  to  business  ever 


ID. 

to  break  Rathbon 
lul  you  c.nn  do  it  if 
raw.  If  you  don't 
lie  game  you  don't 

1  the  Captain,  sul- 

you'U  find  I'll  ren- 

your  mouth  shut, 

not  exposure  in- 
;c  in  me.  Captain." 
for  it,  Jack !" 
e  it  by  gambling." 
isod  that  I  would 
t  any  intimacy  ex- 

the  "  Statesman  " 
ettle  accounts  and 

itil  after  daylight 
10  name  of  Frazer. 
Jilar,  and  the  Cap- 
indred  and  eighty 
nan  shortly  before 
,  and  my  portion  of 
3t  me  on  the  wharf 
I  did  so,  and  con- 
ireo  mouths,  when 
:o  lay  up  at  Cincin- 
id  never  made  his 
I  remained  there. 
3d  him,  and  never 
me  I  was  satisfied, 
,  had  lever  been  so 
"  rendezvous  of  an 
jeen  a  rattlesnake, 

to  business  ever 


MAJOR  0EOR(!H  JKNK3. 


47 


passed  between  ua;  our  interviews  were  brief  and  entirely  to  the 

point. 

riis  dealings  with  me  wore  honest,  and  on  llio  whole  wo  divid- 
ed bt'twccn  UH,  four  thousand  and  seven  hundred  dollars,  the 
most  of  which  came  from  the  pockets  of  IJathlton  and  Clarke. 

I  managed  to  keep  Giles  from  plaviug  cards  with  the  Captain, 
by  induoilig  him  to  pay  over  to  .Mr.  Camr'iell,  at  various  times, 
what  surplus  money  lie  had.  One  niglit,  while  drunk,  he  insisted 
on  having  a  hand  in  the  game,  and  lost  forty  dollars,  what  money 
ho  had  about  him.  flo  tried  to  biirrow  some,  but  as  I  liad  wiini- 
ed  those  playing,  that  ho  was  unable  to  pay,  he  could  get  r 
to  loan  to  him,  which  caused  him  to  leave  in  disgust,  go 

to  bed." 


CHxiPTEll    VII. 


MAJOU  GEORUE  JENKS. 


The  spring  had  passed  away,  and  with  it  the  volume  of  water 
which  floated  palatial  steamers  on  the  bosom  of  the  beautiful 
Ohio.  The  long-sunken  bars  were  drawn  to  the  surface  by  the 
heat  of  the  sun,  and  so  confined  the  channel  to  such  narrow  and 
shallow  limits  as  almo.st  to  impede  navigation  altogether.  Had 
it  not  been  for  a  few  light-drauglit  stern-wheelers,  and  occasion- 
ally a  keel  or  flat-boat  which  struggled  their  way  painfully,  the 
bosom  of  the  river  would  have  been  as  destitute  of  life  as  when 
the  savage  glided  over  it  in  his  bark  canoe.  The  town  was  so 
dull  that  the  arrival  of  a  dinkey  at  the  wharf  or  the  stage-coach 
from  the  interior  created  no  little  excitement,  and  brought  out 
a  largo  portion  of  the  inhabitants  to  stare  at  and  speculate  on 
the  few  passengers  who  arrived  or  departed. 

Like  the  calm  that  succeeds  the  storm,  gambling  died  away 
after  the  period  of  unusually  high  betting  at  the  tailor's  shop 
which  marked  the  era  of  Captain  Smith.  Ho  had  now  ceased 
to  visit  the  place.  Clarke  and  Rathbon,  who  had  been  Lis  princi- 
pal vicHms,  grew  despondent  because  they  had  no  opportunity  of 
recov<  ing  their  losses.  Old  Hicks  would  not  measure  his  skill 
with  tueirs  unless  more  verdant  players  could  bo  found  to  make 
up  the  game,  for  their  losses  had  made  them  wolfish.    The 


i 


^^^^^^^^ 


-.S«i!:-».i>^«  .t^'ii 


■JXSSS 


.#: 


4A 


AVANUEIilNCJS  OI'  A   VAC.ABOND. 


pockets  ofWilll.s  hud  Imon  (Iniiiicil  l)y  tlic  liplit-finffpretl  Cap- 
tain until  ho  was  unahlo  to  borrow  a  tloljar  nioiv.  Uilea,  it  is 
true,  was  willing  to  jjlay,  bet.  im  it  was  Ibr  his  intevcst  to  have 
yaincs  going  on  in  the  shop,  but  ho  was  no  niateh  for  such  i)lay- 
cis  as  Clarke  and  Hathbon  and  TlicUs,  and  I  used  all  the  elo- 
(luenre  I  was  master  of,  as  well  iis  every  stratagem  I  coidd  devise, 
to  deter  him  from  playing.  But  my  advice  and  remonstrance 
were  equally  thrown  away.  The  only  way  I  could  succeed  was 
to  keep  him  impoverished.  'J"hc  money  derived  from  his  busi- 
ness, after  the  payment  of  necessary  expenses,  I  applied  to  tlie 
payment  of  his  debts,  and  the  money  which  I  received  from  the 
gambling  tables  for  household  expenses,  or  handed  over  to  the 
custody  of  Mrs.  Giles;  and  if  more  than  she  required,  I  gave  it 
to  Mr.  G.  to  dispose  of  as  he  pleased.  Ho  was  not  by  any 
means  dispo.sed  to  submit  in  silence  to  the  arbitrary  acts  of  his 
prime  minister.  Not  that  he  objected  to  paying  his  debts,  on 
tho  contrary  he  was  very  hcnsitivo  about  his  obligations,  and  at 
all  times  anxious  to  meet  them ;  but  when  he  had  drunk  a  few 
glasses  and  wanted  to  gamble,  ho  imagined  that  the  claims  of 
his  creditors  had  no  right  to  interfere  with  his  anmsements.  On 
these  occasions  ho  would  insist  on  my  giving  him  money.  Ho 
was  aware  that  I  kept  on  hand  a  stock  of  my  own,  but  had  not 
tho  remotest  idea  of  the  amount,  neither  had  anyone  else ;  for  I 
allowed  no  one  to  share  my  confidence  regarding  tho  strength 
of  my  treasury.  Giles  believed  I  had  four  or  live  hundred  dol- 
lars, and,  as  ho  frequently  remarked  to  his  friends,  a  suction-pipo 
of  forty-horse  power  could  not  draw  any  portion  of  it  out  of  mo. 
My  frequent  refusals  to  loan  him  money  to  gamble  with  made 
him  very  angry,  and  ho  indulged  in  such  ill-tempo  -od  expres- 
sions, bitter  gibes,  and  sometimes  even  threats  of  violence,  as 
hiade  my  relations  with  him  anything  but  comfortable.  Cne  day, 
while  in  ono  of  his  drunken  and  domin  ;ering  moods,  he  began 
abusing  me  because  I  refused  him  money  to  jday  poker.  I  told 
him  plainly  that  he  must  alter  his  style  of  behavior,  or  wo  must 
part  company.  Tie  dreaded  my  leaving  him,  because  I  was  in 
many  ways  useful  to  him,  and,  besides  that,  he  entertained  for 
me  a  rough  kind  of  aflfcction.  His  wife  loved  me  as  much  as  if  I 
had  been  her  own  olVsjjring,  and  this  little  circumstance  having 
come  to  her  knowledge,  and  the  "gray  mare  being  in  this  case 
decidedly  the  better  horse,"  Giles  was  induced  to  alter  his  bo- 


I). 

rht-fiiiRorcf''.  Cap- 
iiKii'o.  Giles,  it  is 
is  interest  to  have 
iti'h  for  such  play- 
I  used  ail  the  elo- 
;etn  I  coiild  devise, 
and  remonstrance 
could  succeed  was 
•ed  from  his  busi- 
1,  I  ajjplied  to  the 
received  from  the 
inded  over  to  the 
•cquired,  I  gave  it 
3  was  not  by  any 
bitrary  acts  of  his 
nng  his  debts,  on 
)bligations,  and  at 
had  (h'unk  a  few 
that  the  claims  of 
;  amusements.  On 
him  money.  He 
own,  but  had  not 
anyone  else;  for  I 
•ding  the  strength 
live  hundred  dol- 
nds,  a  suction-pipe 
on  of  it  out  of  me. 
;;amble  with  made 
-tempe-ed  oxpres- 
ats  of  violence,  as 
fortable.  Cneday, 
f  moods,  he  began 
day  poker.  I  told 
lavior,  or  wo  must 
,  because  I  was  in 
he  entertained  for 
me  as  much  as  if  I 
rcumstanco  having 
being  in  this  case 
d  to  alter  his  be- 


M.V.KiK   CKOKilK  .1 KMCS. 


40 


havlor  towards  me,  and  after  this  little  all'air,  which  took  ])laco  a 
few  mouths  previous  to  my  collusion  with  ('apt.  Smith,  allowed 
mo  to  conduct  matters  im'tty  much  as  I  pleased.  When  the 
players,  who  were  the  nucleus  iiiduiul  which  were  gathered  all 
gambling  operations  wliiuii  took  place  at  the  tailor's  .shop,  could 
not  keel)  a  game  gt)ing,  the  ]ilaco  ceased  to  bo  a  centre  of  at- 
traction, and  the  hearts  of  llio  "unco  guid"  were  gladdened 
on  behoUUng  at  night  the  dark  windows  and  the  death-like 
stillness  which  hung  aroiuid  the  hated  place. 

But  as  a  pebble  drop]ied  on  the  glassy  surface  of  a  lake  will 
agitate  its  waters  from  shore  to  shore,  so  was  the  sporting  fra- 
ternity of  ISlarietta  stirred  by  a  report  that  the  royal  "tiger" 
had  made  his  appearance  in  the  jjlace,  and  spread  him.self,  for 
his  prey,  at  the  shop  of  Giles  tc  ^lorris. 

Faro  had  been  for  years  a  favorite  ga'-  with  the  fre<iuenters 
of  the  place  ;  snaps  were  frciiuently  opened,  averaging  )'i  iin  five 
dfdlars  to  one  hundred,  for  which  the  sheet-iron  dealing  box 
and  big  horn  buttons  of  Giles  were  brought  into  requisition. 
Sometimes  as  many  as  f:vc  or  six  of  these  snaps  wotdd  be  bro- 
ken in  a  night,  and  but  few  were  successful ;  whicli  can  be  ac- 
counted for  in  this  manner.  The  games  were  not  dealt  in  pro- 
portion to  tho  amount  of  capital  in  bank,  or,  in  other  words,  tho 
snaps  were  never  limited;  and  as  their  capital  was  usually 
small,  nothing  but  an  extraordinary  nui  of  good  luc!;  at  tho 
start  could  save  tliem  from  being  broken.  Ihit  a  regular  out- 
and-out  faro  game,  with  all  its  paraphernalia,  and  elegant  ma- 
hogany box  ornamented  with  a  handsome  picture  of  the  royal 
"tiger,"  a  fine  silver  dealing-box,  six  hundred  ivory  checks,  on 
each  of  which  was  carved  the  head  of  a  horse,  their  valuation  at 
play  being  determined  by  their  dill'erent  colors ;  thus  the  colors 
being  red,  white,  and  blue  ;  the  first  represented  one,  the  second 
five,  and  the  third  twenty-five.  Over  tho  table  was  spread  a 
fine  green  cloth,  and  on  it  a  lay-out  com[)osed  of  thirteen  cards," 
ranging  from  the  ace  to  the  king.  Such  a  display  had  never  be- 
fore met  tho  eyes  of  the  crude  gamblers  of  LI  viotta;  and, 
withal,  under  tho  guidance  of  a  full-blooded  professional  gam- 
bler. 

Major  George  Jenks  was  an  old  friend  of  John  Travis,  and 
was  by  him  introduced  to  Giles  as  a  high-toned  sp  rting  gentle- 
man.   He  obtained  his  consent  to  open  his  faro  game  at  tho 


Jl 

t 


! 


30  WANDEIUXUS  OF    V    VAll.VUONU. 

tailor's  shop  tlmluK  H"^  mcuinK^^.    As  ho  wii8  the  Ihisl  profos- 
Bloual  sport,  gambler,  leg  or  black-leg,  all  of  xvhich  terms  are  sy. 
nonymous,  of  whoso  acquiuntanro  I  had  tho  honor,  I  shall  en- 
deavor to  sUeteh  his  portrait.     He  was  about  hfty-llve  years  ol 
ago,  tall,  and  well  proportioned.     Ilia  face  was  long  and  oval- 
shaped  ;  his  eves  dark  and  penetrating,  above  wliieh  met  a  pair 
of  shaggy  gray  eyebrows,  and  his  hair,  of  which  ho  had  a  largo 
crop,  was  also  a  shaggy  gray.    Uc  imagined  his  complexion  to 
be  florid,  but,  with  the  exception  of  a  deep  red  tint  on  the  end  of 
his  nose,  and  the  blossomy  ]>rotulierances  which  adorried  that 
facial  ornament,  It  was  much  nearer  tho  color  of  wet  putty. 
His  countenance  might,  with  the  aforementioned  exception,  bo 
called  cadaver(Mis.     When  ho  made  his  appearance  before  tho 
citizens  of  Marietta,  he  was  attireil  in  white  linen  pantaloons,  a 
claw-hammer  coat  of  line  blue  cloth,  an  open  black  silk  vest,  a 
lufllcd  shirt,  while  around  his  neck  was  folded  a  largo  black  silk 
handkerchief,  turned  over  which  his  extensive  shirt-collar  shone 
immaculate.      A    broad-brimmed    wliito    beaver    covered   his 
shaggy  heatl,  and  a  small  diamond  twiidcled  among  tho  rufllos 
of  Ws  shirt.    A  largo  gold  fob-chain  with  several  seals  and  small 
keys  attached,  dangled  from  his  thigh;  his  feet  were  covered 
with  brightly  varnished  shoes,  and,  to  complete  the  picture,  ho 
carried  in  his  hand  a  varnished  hickory  cane,  ornamented  at  one 
end  with  a  brass  ferule,  and  at  tho  other  with  a  knob  of  fine 
polished  gold,  on  which  was  engraved  tho  name  of  Major  Goorgo 
Jenks.     Ho  was  born  in  Virginia— a  fact  of  which  he  was  inor- 
dinately proud ;  but  where  can  tho  Virginian  bo  discovered  who 
is  not!  or  where   is  the  Virginian   versed  in  the  lore  of  his 
native  State,  who  cannot  trace  his  pedigree  far  back  among 
Bomo  of  the  titled  families  of  tho  British  Isles? 

His  lantern  jaws  were  entirely  overworked ;  for,  when  not 
employed  in  masticating  his  food,  they  were  always  occupied— 
except  during  his  hours  of  sleep— in  crushing  the  juice  from  that 
weed  so  largely  cultivated  in  his  beloved  native  State. 

Whenever  tho  brains  of  the  Major  became  heated  from  over- 
dosing himself  with  the  "  essence  of  corn,"  he  would  hold  forth 
at  great  length,  and  with  much  unction,  on  tho  superiority  of 
Virginians  in  general,  and  tho  Jenks  family  in  particular,  to  all 
creation.  Ho  would  insist  that  his  family  wore  among  the  first 
settlors,  and  that  its  illustrious  members  could  trace  their  pedi- 


i  the  UiHl  profos- 
licb  terms  are  sy- 
loiinr,  I  sluill  rii- 
lit'ty-tiv(>  years  of 
[IS  long  uiul  oval- 
wliii'h  lui't  a  jialr 
ell  ho  hud  a  larLto 
his  complf'xion  to 
tint  on  tho  cud  of 
lich  adoiTiod  that 
lor  of  wet  putty, 
med  oxeeption,  ho 
!aranco  before  tho 
ineu  pantaloons,  a 
1  blaek  silk  vest,  a 
;  a  lavRO  black  silk 
fihirt-eolUir  shono 
a\er    covered   his 
anionjx  the  ruflles 
ral  seals  and  small 
feet  were  covered 
etc  tho  picture,  ho 
ornamented  at  ouo 
ith  a  knob  of  fine 
10  of  Major  Goorgo 
dilcU  ho  was  inor- 
bo  discovered  who 
in  tho  love  of  his 
0  far  back  among 
? 

;cd ;  for,  when  not 

always  occupied— 

thejuico  from  that 

vo  State. 

heated  from  ovcr- 

0  would  hold  forth 

1  tho  superiority  of 
in  particular,  to  all 
?ro  among  the  first 
Id  trace  their  pedi- 


MAJOU  OUUKUU  JENKa. 


SI 


greo  back  to  tho  IMantagencts;  of  which  niuch-HulToring  name, 
and  its  bcirers,  he  had,  however,  a  very  confused  notion.  Ilo 
was  aware  that  this  august  nanio  was  the  polar  star  of  all  ichor- 
blooded  Virginians,  and  ho  lloin-ish(!d  it  before  us  with  the  utmost 
looseness.  'I'ho  .Major  had  but  ono  country,  his  heaven  and  iiis 
earth— that  was  Virginia.  When  in  one  of  liis  convivial  moods, 
ho  delighted  to  talkof  the  general.shipof  Wasliington,  thostates- 
maushij)  of  .lelVeison  and  Madison,  the  chMpienco  of  Henry,  and 
tho  wit  of  Randolph.  Ho  denounced  (May  and  Jack.son  a.s  hum- 
bugs and  demagogues;  and  when  reminded  that  Clay  was  a 
Virginian,  he  insisted  that  ho  was  only  a  mongrel,  who  was 
obliged  to  leave  his  native  State  because  ho  was  imablo  to  copo 
with  the  mighty  intfdlects  with  which  it  was  filled.  In  line,  no 
good  thing,  in  tho  Major's  eyes,  could  come  from  anywhere  out- 
side of  Virginia. 

Of  whou  or  how  ho  obtained  tho  title  of  Lfajor,  I  am  profoundly- 
ignorant;  perhaps  ho  had  bclongc'.  to  tho  militia— tho  country, 
In  those  days,  was  filled  with  citizen  ildiers— or,  as  is  quito  as 
likely,  it  had  been  awarded  by  his  i.icnds  as  an  expression  of 
respect ;  a  way  in  which  thousands  of  others  havo  obtained  their 
military  titles.  It  is,  indeed,  a  subject  wo  cannot  afford  to  be  too 
curious  about,  in  this  country.  I  never  asked  him  how  he  ob- 
tained it,  nor  did  he  ever  volunteer  any  information,  though  he 
never  failed,  in  putting  his  name  to  any  paper,  however  insignifl- 
cant,  to  adorn  it  with  tho  title  of  "Major."  lie  also  aped  tho 
bearing  of  a  military  man,  by  shoving  out  his  chest  to  what 
must  have  been  a  most  uncomfortable  degree,  and  keeping  his 
head  prcternaturally  erect. 

His  faro-tablo,  covered  with  the  implement.'?  of  tho  game, 
created  quito  a  sensation  among  his  visitors,  very  few  of  whom 
had  ever  seen  anything  better,  in  that  lino,  than  Giles'  sheet-iron^ 
box,  big  horn  buttons,  and  lay-out  of  cards  tacked  to  tho  table. 
Giles  was  careful  that  no  persons  should  bo  admitted  to  tho  game, 
but  such  as  \ifishod  to  join  in  it.  On  tho  first  evening,  tho  Major 
had  a  lively  game,  in  which  ho  lo.st  over  three  hundred  dollars. 
It  broke  up  by  ton  o'clock ;  the  players,  having  all  won,  were 
satisfied ;  but  the  polite  Major  would  not  allow  his  customers  to 
leave  imtil  he  had  treated  them  to  a  lunch,  which  he  ordered 
from  tho  "  Old  Hickory."  Some  of  the  winners  objected  to  this, 
and  proposed  to  make  up  a  purse  among  themselves  for  that  pur- 


J 


It-  i 

fi! 


IP 


f 


I 


WANDEKDJGS  OF  A  VAUA130ND. 


his  money,  and  were  now  ^"J"^  "^  ,  ^^'/"^'^[^^^^^^^ 
and  ho  showed  them  by  his  "^^"""- ^^  ^^  .^^^  ^^  f^  t^-^.k  J,  and 
in  his  memory  (or  at  least  tried  *«   "J^^  ''^'^^r  lavor  than 
Bvircceded),  and  that  they  could  not  do  him  a  greater 

to  partake  of  his  hos))itahty.  .',cd-eYc"  had  some- 

When  a  half-dozen  or  so  of  glasses  ot      ic^J^J^  ^ 

^hat  enlivened  the  old  fellow  he  «;!"g  ^^  ^j^^^^J  .7,;^  '^  ^^d 
manly  voice,  to  the  ^-^-^^^^  ^^1:^^^  ilv 

given  my  entire  attention  to  the  ^^'>"^'/l^.;';^  '  ^^,^^,1;  ,vaitcd  on 
evening.    I  had  helped  1^^  *« ''^"''^.^f.^f  ^^^^  the  "Old 

the  players,  and  afterwards  brought    ^^;j'^f^;';;,,i,es,  and 
Hickory."     The   old   fellow   ^f^^^^^^  h^  had 

thanked  me,  in  tboj---;  etn  we';t  sX  a's  to  prophesy 
finished  his   love-song,     ^e  e\en  \Ne 

that  I  should  some  day  ^-^Pr^^^l^^^^^.i^^' f,"S^^   channel. 
Major's  idea  of  f  ^^^ness  ran  rdtoge^be^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^.  ^^  ^ 

He  showed  much  ^Y'^'!l\^^Z'crJr  \n  a  sorrowful  voice, 
Tarn^ mTt^re^r  crds,Cl'wIld  from  "the  wrath  to 

''"But  you  don't  practice  ^hat  you  preach,  Major,"  I  laugb- 
^^^!^Ss  so,  my  son,"  ho  r^^ed ;  <;but^c^tancc.  have 
thrown  me  into  my  PJ-^^^PJ^!  f^  u  dsrw  tricks,'  you 
E^^MttTdoir^o^llS  n>o  .o^.ivingyou  good 

^'"^;  M^or,  ^^I'-thankful  foryom  kind^nt^^^^^ 

'^'"Tnde?df""be  exclaimed,  regarding  me  curiously;   ''pray, 
what  current  is  that,  Master  Jack  V 


W—i'l  I  I  I  I 


iND. 

by  telling  tliem  they 
,  whether  they  won 
;cr  the  hrnch,  hnuora 
the  place  aflbrrtcd, 
bave  entertained  his 
liteness,  had  he  been 
,ra.     They  liad  won 
lives  at  his  expense; 
i  losses  held  no  place 
tlicni  think  so,  and 
a  greater  lavor  than 

'  red-eye"  had  some- 
i  love-song,  in  a  fine 
f  his  hearers.    I  had 
:he  Major,  during  th' 
1  faro-table,  waited  on 
hnich  froi     tlic  "Old 
ed  my  services,  and 
ompany,  after  ho  had 
io  far  as  to  prophesy 
rict  in  congress.    The 
in  a  political  channel. 
10  present  told  him  I 
in  a  sorrowful  voice, 
d  from  "  the  wrath  to 

ach,  Major,"  I  laugh- 

ut  circumstances  have 
I  am  now  too  far  ad- 

Id  dogs  new  tricks,'  you 
from  giving  you  good 

X  kind  intentions;  but 
yn  away  on  TOO,  because 
imbling  is  carrying  me 

mo  curiously;   "pray, 


MAJOB  GEORGE  JENKS. 


53 


"  Lovo  of  excitement  and  gain,  sir,"  I  rejoined. 

"  Damn  me,  gentlemen,"'  cried  tlie  Major,  bringing  his  hand 
down  on  the  table  so  fiercely  that  the  bottles  and  glasses  rung 
again,  "  if  I  don't  believe  the  youth  on  this  side  of  the  Ohio  ad- 
vance faster  tlian  tliose  along  our  sea-shore !  "  After  which 
forcible  delivery  of  his  opinion,  lie  invited  all  hands  to  join  him 
in  another  drink,  wliicb  they  were  quite  ready  to  do,  being  all 
capable  drinkers. 

"  Then  it's  really  yoi.r  intention  to  become  a  gamblor.  Jack?" 
was  the  half-way  inquiry  of  the  Major,  the  round  of  liquor  being 
tossed  down  the  capacious  throats  of  the  company. 

"So  it  seems,  Major." 

"  Then  I'm  sorry  for  you,  my  boy.  You've  got  a  crooked  and 
d d  stoney  road  before  you,  that's  all  I  can  say." 

"Well,  Major,  can't  you  give  him  some  advice  how  he  can 
drive  his  team  over  that  ar' road?"  asked  old  Hicks,  who  was 
present. 

"I  can,  sir,  with  pleasure,  if  he  will  listen  to  it;  but  before 
I  begin,  with  your  permission,  sir  (bowing  to  Hicks),  we'll  fill  up 
our  glasses  and  take  another  round." 

The  company  met  the  call  to  a  man,  and,  having  supplied  his 
cheek  with  a  fresh  quid  of  "  nigger-head,"  the  Alajor  leaned 
back  in  his  chair,  strotched  his  legs  under  the  table,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  enlighten  me  as  follows : 

"  My  young  friend,  remember  that  cleanliness,  not  to  mention 
its  being  next  to  godliness,  is  the  parent  of  health.  Live  accord- 
ing to  your  means,  dress  well,  but  avoid  foppishness ;  make  it 
your  study  to  use  good  language  and  acquire  the  manners  of  a 
gentleman.  Beware  of  intemperate  and  dissolute  companions ; 
never  intermeddle  with  the  business  of  others,  or  neglect  your 
own  for  frivolous  pleasure.  Avoid  quarrels  and  quarrelsome 
persons,  and,  above  all,  shun  the  company  of  abandoned  women. 
Enter  into  no  business  transaction  without  first  giving  the  sub- 
ject due  reflection,  and,  when  in  doubt,  seek  the  advice  of  men 
on  whose  integrity  and  judgment  you  can  rely.  Wlien  your 
money  or  your  honor  is  at  stake,  rely  on  your  own  natural 
sense,  if  you  have  no  triTstworthy  friend  at  hand  to  advise  you. 
Give  your  confidence  to  few ;  but  should  you  ever  bo  so  fortunate 
as  to  have  a  tried  friend,  let  nothing  l)ut  death  separate  you,  one 
from  the  other.    Ne>'er  borrow  money  under  false  pretences, 


wm 


M 


•<hy  "  ' 


64 


•WAKDEBIKGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


however  pressing  may  be  your  wants.  Observe  these  instruc- 
tions, my  young  friend,  and,  with  the  energy  and  pe.sonal  ap- 
pearance you  possess,  you  cannot  fail  to  succeed  in  the  world." 

"  That's  very  good  advice,  Majoi ,  and  worthy  of  a  philosopher ; 
but  why  is  it  not  c(iually  applioal)le  to  all  other  persons  as  well 
as  gamblers?"  demanded  Mr.  Willis. 

"Quito  true,  sir,  quite  true;  but  it  is  much  more  requisite 
that  a  gambler  should  follow  these  instructions  than  any  one." 
"  I  don't  see  why,"  said  Willis. 

"  Because  integrity,  upright  behavior,  and  personal  appear- 
ance are  his  stock  in  trade.  Should  he  deceive  his  friends,  or 
commit  any  otiier  dishonorable  or  underhand  act,  all  high  toned 
gamblers  will  shun  him,  and  whenever  they  shun  one  of  their 
own  fraternity,  every  one  else  whoso  friendship  is  worth  having 
will  also  shun  him." 

"  The  same  remark  will  apply  to  other  men,  as  veil  as  gamb- 
lers," replied  Mr.  Willis. 

"In  a  measure,  certainly;  but  all  other  men  are  not  such 
good  judges  of  character  as  gamblers." 

"  Then  you  think  gamblers  better  judges  of  character  than 
other  people  ?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  the  Major,  emphatically.  "They  are 
the  best  judges  of  character  on  earth,  especially  the  gamblers 
from  Virginia." 

"  Waal,  that's  all  very  fine.  Major,  so  far  as  it  goes.  You've 
told  Jack  what  kind  of  a  team  he  wants  to  carry  him  over  that 
ar'  stoney  an'  twisted  road  o'  yourn,  but  you  isn't  told  'im  how 
he's  to  drive  it,  and  feed  it  on  the  way,"  chimed  in  old  Hicks. 

"If  I  understand  you  correctly,  Mr.  Hicks,  you  wish  me  to 
inform  the  young  gentleman  what  he  must  do  to  succeed  in  the 
world,  is  it  not,  sir?"  asked  the  Major,  with  one  of  his  most  dig- 
nified bows. 
"  That's  it,  old  stud,"  rejoined  Hicks. 
"  I  shall  do  so,  sir,"  said  the  Major,  curtly,  not  much  liking,  I 
thought,  the  title  of  " old  stud"  conferred  on  him  by  Mr.  Hicks; 
then  turning  to  me  he  said,  "  Jack,  my  boy,  never  back  a  loser." 
"  That's  very  good  advice,  but  how  the  h— 1  are  you  going  to 
tell  the  loser  from  the  winner?"  inquired  a  big  powerful  fellow 
by  the  name  of  Jones. 
"  You  don't  understand  me)  sir,  because  you  interrupted  me 


e  these  instruc- 
iid  pe.sonal  ap- 
in  the  world." 
)f  a  philosopher ; 
'  persons  as  well 

1  more  requisite 
;han  any  cue." 

icrRonal  appear- 

0  his  friends,  or 
t,  all  high  toned 
lun  one  of  their 

1  is  worth  having 

is  well  as  gamb- 

en  are  not  such 

f  character  than 

illy.  "They  are 
lly  the  gamblers 

it  goes.  You've 
ry  him  over  that 
m't  told  'im  how 
d  in  old  Hicks. 
,  you  wish  me  to 
to  succeed  in  the 
le  of  his  most  dig- 


lot  much  liking,  I 
im  by  Mr.  Hicks ; 
ver  back  a  loser." 
are  you  going  to 
ig  powerful  fellow 

u  interrupted  me 


MAJOR  GEOKGE  JENKS. 


55 


before  I  had  elucidated  my  subject,"  said  the  Major,  with  much 
dignity.  Witliout  waiting  Ibi'  uu  apology,  he  continued,  address- 
ing me,  "Never  bet  on  an  unlucky  horse  or  an  unlucky  man. 
Whenever  a  breed  of  cocks  have  cstaljjished  their  reputation 
follow  them  up  with  your  money.  Bo  careful  of  a  young  race- 
horse, regardless  of  his  pedigree ;  but  whenever  one  of  good 
blood  has  shown  extraordinary  speed  and  bottom,  keep  betting 
on  him  till  he's  beaten,  then  drop  him.  When  you  find  your- 
self over-matched  at  a  game  of  cards,  drop  your  adversary  as 
soon  as  possible:  good  card-players  live  on  fools;  be  careful  not 
to  be  one  of  the  latter  cla.ss.  If  any  one  offers  to  bet  you  he  can 
perform  any  trick  or  feat,  let  him  go  by  ;  for  'tis  a  hundred  to  one 
that  if  he  finds  any  fools  sufficiently  green  to  take  his  bets  he  will 
win  them.  Should  you  see  one  person  take  advantage  of  another 
while  at  play,  don't  expose  the  fraud,  but  bet  on  him  if  you  can 
find  any  one  to  take  your  wager.  Don't  squander  your  money, 
but  keep  it  in  readiness  to  make  more  with  whenever  the  oppor- 
tunity arrives.  Choose  your  friends  from  moneyed  men,  because 
poor  ones  can  be  of  no  use  to  you." 

"How  old  are  you,  Major?"  asked  Mr.  Willis. 

"  Wei;,  I'm  going  on  fifty-five  sir,  and  I'm  able  to  drink  as  mrch 
whiskey  as  any  man  in  this  room;  so  I  move  we  take  a  parting 
drink  and  go  to  bed." 

"Excuse  me,  Major,"  said  Willis,  "but  one  more  question  if  you 
please.  Have  you  been  following  up  this  here  advice  you've 
given  to  Jack  all  them  years  ?" 

"No,  sir,  I  have  not,"  he  stifQy  replied;  "for  no  person  is  ca- 
pable of  giving  good  advice  until  he's  old  enough  to  understand 
he's  been  a  damned  fool."  The  concluding  part  of  the  Major's 
speech  was  received  with  much  laughter,  besides  a  round  of  ap- 
plause, after  which,  and  a  parting  drmk,*the  party  separated  for 
the  night. 


"MHMWW 


■ijij   »Wigr    iiMtw 


56 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

FARO. 

Faro  may  be  termed  a  national  game,  as  it  is  the  favorite 
banking  game  of  chance  in  tliis  country.  It  ha '  its  origin  iu 
Em-ope,  where  it  was  played  extensively  during  thcscv.'iii.  enth, 
eighteenth,  and  the  early  part  of  the  present  century;  but  such  is 
the  mutability  of  human  events,  that  the  game  is  now  almost 
entirely  unknown  in  that  country. 

At  what  time  or  among  what  nation  of  people  the  game  ol 
faro  IJrst  made  its  appearance,  tradition  saith  not,  or  if  any  re  - 
corfiing  scribe  has  ever  left  such  a  record  behind  him,  all  traces 
of  It  are  now  probably  lost,  which  will  not,  I  suppose,  bo  looked 
upon  by  "society"  as  any  very  terrible  calamit.r.  The  English 
claim  that  the  game,  like  many  of  their  other  vices,  was  in- 
•  troduced  among  them  by  the  Ucrinans.  The  old  tale,  "  brought 
up  virtuous,  and  afterwards  corrupted  by  bad  company." 

Hoyle  is  the  first  writer  known  to  us  who  has  given  the  rules, 
laws,  and  maxims  of  the  game.    He  .says  in  his  book  of  games, 
"  This  game  (speaking  of  faro)  is  a  very  peculiar  one,  played 
but  little  iu  England,  and  that  it  is  purely  a  game  for  winning  and 
losing  money."    The  technical  terms  formerly  used  in  playing 
this  game  being  French,  induces  me  to  believe  it  was  a  French 
invention,  and  introduced  into  their  own  country  by  the  English 
nobility,  who  were  in  the  habit  of  adopting  French  games  for  their 
amusement,  looking  upon  their  national  ones  as  vulgar.    If  tho 
game  of  faro  originated  in  Germany,  it  has  long  since  lost  all 
traces  of  its  nationality;.    Whether  Hoyle  was  correct  or  not  in 
saying  that  faro  was  but  little  played  in  England,  we  find  among 
the  statutes  enacted  by  parliament  during  the  reign  of  the  second 
George,  one  prohibiting  gambling,  under  a  penalty  of  two  hun- 
dred pounds'  fine,  and  among  the  games  particularly  mentioned 
are  hazard,  roly-poly,  and  faro. 
I  find  no  trace  of  the  ga.ne  farther  back  than  this  period. 
We  find  in  Washington  Irving's  tale  of  tho  great  Mississippi 
bubble,  a  description  of  John  Law,  a  Scotchman,  who  was  the 
prime  uio  ,er  in  that  celebrated  swindle.    As  far  as  relates  to  our 
subject,  wo  shall  give  the  author's  own  words.     "  Law  remained 


it  is  the  favorite 
ba '  its  origin  iu 
g  tliosevi'iiii  entli, 
utiiry ;  but  sudi  is" 
10  is  uow  almost 

oplo  tlic  game  nl 
not,  or  if  any  ro  - 
ind  bim,  all  traces 
suppose,  bo  looked 
it.r.    Tbe  Englisb 
bcr  vices,  was  in- 
old  tale,  "  brougbt 
company." 
as  given  tbe  rules, 
lis  book  of  games, 
euliar  one,  played 
ne  for  winning  and 
•ly  used  in  playing 
e  it  was  a  Frencb 
itry  by  tbe  Englisb 
nch  games  for  tbeir 
as  vulgar.    If  tbo 
long  since  lost  all 
i  correct  or  not  in 
ind,  we  find  among 
reign  of  tbe  second 
cnalty  of  two  bun- 
ticularly  mentioned 

an  tbis  period. 
0  great  Mississippi 
iman,  wbo  was  tbe 
far  as  relates  to  our 
J.    "  Law  remained 


FAEO. 


57 


for  a  while  in  Paris,  leading  a  gay  and  affluent  existence,  owing 
to  his  iiandsome  person,  easy  manner,  lie.xible  temper,  and  a  faro- 
bank  which  ho  had  set  up.  Ills  agreeable  existence  was  inter- 
rupted by  a  message  from  D'ArgensoUj  Lieutenant-General  of 
Police,  ordering  liini  to  ([uit  Paris,  alleging  that  he  was  rather  too 
skillful  at  the  ganics  tvhich  he  had  introditrcd.  This  event  took 
place  in  the  yoai-  1700.  Tbo  faro  which  John  Law  dealt,  and 
which  Iloylc  describes  in  his  book  of  games,  baa  not  been  in  use 
over  forty  years." 

As  tbis  game  will  bear  an  important  part  in  these  memoirs,  it 
is  necessary  that  the  reader  should  beconie  acquainted  with  its 
mysteries,  its  rules,  maxims,  and  tbe  manner  in  which  it  is 
conducted  at  the  present  time.  For  this  purpose  I  have  made  an 
extract  from  the  American  Iloyle,  which  gives  a  full  description 
of  the  game  of 

FAEO. 

Faro  is  played  with  a  full  deck  of  fifty-two  cards.  The  dealer 
sits  at  the  table  prepared  for  the  purpose,  with  an  assistant  or 
"  looker-out"  at  his  right  hand.  Upon  the  centre  of  the  table  is  a 
suit  of  cards,  arranged  in  tbe  following  order,  upon  which  the 
players  place  their  money  or  stake.«i,  and  which  is  called  *'  the 
lay-out."  It  is  composed  of  thirteen  cards,  either  pasted  or  paint- 
ed on  a  cloth.  These  cards  are  placed  iu  two  rows,  running 
parallel  with  each  other.  The  row  next  the  players  contsiins  the 
king,  queen,  and  Jack  (which  are  called  the  big  figure),  ten, 
nine,  and  eight.  The  row  next  the  dealer  contains  the  ace,  deuce, 
and  trois  (which  are  called  the  little  figure),  the  four,  five,  and 
six.  Next  tbe  six  and  eight  is  placed  the  seven.  These  three 
cards  comprise  what  is  called  "  the  pot."  Four  connecting  cards 
are  called  squares.  For  example,  the  king,  queen,  ace,  and  deuce, 
is  called  the  "grand  square;"  the  Jack,  trois,  four,  and  ten,  the 
"Jack  square;"  the  nine,  eight,  six,  and  five,  the  "uine 
square."  A  bet  placed  in  a  square  includes  the  four  cards ;  one 
placed  behind  any  named  card,  except  tlie  king  or  seven,  in- 
cludes that  card,  and  also  the  two  adjoining  ones.  For  instance 
•—a  bet  placed  behind  the  queen  would  include  the  king  and 
Jack.  A  bet  placed  on  the  inside  comer  of  any  card  includes  the 
two  cards  next  to  it,  as  well  as  tbe  one  it  rests  upon,  in  all  the 
States  and  Territories  west  and  south  of  the  otate  of  New  York, 


«t«il^ 


Pi 


li 


■VTANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

but  in  the  latter  State,  and  those  cast  of  it,  such  a  bet  would  bar 
both  cards  alongside  of  it,  and  include  the  card  it  rested  upon, 
with  the  one  diagonally  opposite.  A  bet  placed  bet\\  eon  any  two 
cards  includes  those  two.  A  bet  placed  on  the  corner  of  a  card 
on-  the  outside  connects  two  cards,  as  a  bet  placed  on  the  corner 
of  the  king  would  include  the  Jack,  or  one  placed  on  the  corner 
of  the  ace  would  include  the  trois,  and  leave  out  the  queen  and 

The  stakes  usually  consist  of  counters  or  checks,  made  of 
ivory,  representing  difTcrent  sums,  tliey  are  purchased  of  the 
banker,  and  are  redcomod  by  him  at  tlie  option  of  tlie  bolder. 
The  banker  usually  limits  the  sums  so  bet,  accordmg  to  the 

amount  of  his  capital.  j  „„„i. 

The  game  may  be  played  by  any  number  of  persons,  and  each 
player  mav  select  any  card  or  number  of  cards  upon  the  lay- 
out," and  may  change  his  bet  from  one  card  to  another,  when- 
ever  he  pleases. 

DEALING    THE    CABDS. 

The  pluyers  having  placed  their  stakes  upon  the  "lay-out," 
and  all  other  preliminaries  being  settled,  the  dealer  shuffles 
the  cards,  cuts  them,  and  places  them  face    up  ma  small 
metal  box,  usually   silver,  which  is  a  little  larger  than  the 
pack  to  be  admitted ;  this  box  is  open  at  the  top,  so  that 
ihe  top  card  may  always  be  in  view.     It  also  has  a  small 
opening  at  the  side,  sufficiently  large  to  permit  a  smgle  card  to 
pass  through  it  conveniently.    As  the  cards  are  pushed  out,  or 
dealt  from  the  top  through  this  opening,  the  romamder  of  the 
deck  is  forced  upwards  by  springs  placed  in  the  bottom  of  the 
box,  and  thus  the  cards  are  kept  in  their  proper  place  until  the 
pack  is  exhausted.  .   .. 

We  will  suppose,  by  the  way  of  illustration  tha  the  ace  is  he 
top  card,  a.  it  appears  in  the  box.  This  card  is  shoved  through 
the  opening.when  a  ten  appears-this  is  the  banker's  card,  and 
he  wins  all  4e  money  which  may  have  been  p  aced  upon  it  T  e 
ten,  like  the  ace,  is  removed,  disclosing  a  kmg,  which  is  the 
player's  card,  the  bank  losing  all  stakes  found  upon  it-  The 
drawing  of  these  two  cards  is  called  "a  turn,"  which,  being 
made,  the  dealer  takes  and  pays  all  the  money  won  and  lost 
and  then  proceeds  as  before,  drawing  oat  two  more  cards^the 


FAKO. 


50 


ih  a  bet  would  bar 
•d  it  rested  upon, 
1  betw  eon  any  two 
c  corner  of  a  card 
aced  on  the  corner 
[iced  on  the  corner 
out  the  queen  and 

'  checks,  made  of 
purchased  of  tlio 

tion  of  the  holder, 
according  to  the 

r  persons,  and  each 
ds  upon  the  "  lay- 
l  to  another,  when- 


pon  the  "lay-out," 
the  dealer  shuffles 
ice  up  in  a  small 
le  larger  than  the 
i,t  the  top,  so  that 
t  also  has  a  small 
mit  a  single  card  to 
1  are  pushed  out,  or 
le  remainder  of  the 
n  the  bottom  of  the 
roper  place  until  the 

n,  that  the  ace  is  the 
rd  is  shoved  through 
e  backer's  card,  and 
placed  upon  it.  Tlie 
I  king,  which  is  the 
ound  upon  it.  The 
turn>"  which,  being 
money  won  and  lost, 
two  more  cards^the 


fn-st  for  the  bank  and  the  second  for  the  phyer,  and  thus  he 
continues  until  the  whole  pack  is  doult  out. 

Whenever  two  cards  of  the  sumo  (lenomination,  as,  for  exam- 
ple, two  .sevens  or  two  fours,  appear  in  the  Siuue  turn,  the  dealer 
takes  half  the  money  found  upon  .such  card— this  is  called  a 
"split,"  and  is  said  to  be  tlio  bank's  greatest  percentage,  to 
avoid  which  old  faro  players  wait  until  tiiere  is  but  one  seven 
or  four,  or  card  of  any  other  denomination  left  in  rlie  box,  and 
then  place  their  heavy  beU  upon  that,  thus  avoiding  the  possi- 
bility of  a  "split." 

If  a  player  wishes  to  play  upon  the  banker's  card,  or  to  bet 
any  certain  card  will  lose,  ho  indloutes  it  by  placing  a  copper 
upon  the  top  of  his  stake,  and  if  this  card  wins  for  the  bank  the 
player  also  wins. 

When  there  is  but  one  turn  left  in  the  box,  the  plaver  has  the 
privilege  of  "  calling  the  last  turn,"  that  is,  of  guessing  the 
order  in  which  the  cards  will  appear,  and  if  he  calls  it  correctly 
he  receives  four  times  the  amount  of  his  stake. 

KEEPIKO    THE    GAME. 

As  it  is  important  for  both  dealer  and  plavcr  that  the  cards 
remaming  in  should  be  known,  the  game  is  accurately  kept,  so 
as  to  exhibit  at  a  glance  every  phase  of  the  deal.  For  this  pur- 
pose, printed  cards  are  given  to  the  players,  upon  which  they 
keep  the  game  m  the  following  manner. 

No.  1.— This  table,  marked  as  the  cards 
are  dealt,  exhibits  what  each  card  Jias 
done;  the  0  means  that  the  card  has  lost, 
1  that  it  won ;  thus,  the  ace  lost,  won,  lost, 
and  won;  the  four  lost  twice  and  won 
twice;  the  seven  won  four  times;  the 
queen  lost  four  times,  and  the  Jack  split, 
lost  and  won;  the  X  indicating  a  split;  the 
six  was  the  top,  or  "soda  card,"  a&  shown 
by  the  *;  the  nine  won,  lost  and  won,  the 
fourth  nine  remaining  in  the  box,  being 
the  last,  or  "hock"  card,  which  is  indicated  by  the  t 

No.  2.— This  table  illustrates  a  deal  partly  made.  One  ace 
has  been  dealt,  and  three  remain  in  the  box ;  two  deuces  have 


No.  1. 

No.  2. 

A— 0101 

A— 1 

2-0000 

2—00 

3—1001 

3-000 

4—0011 

*4— 

5-0010 

5-01 

*6— 101 

fl— Oil 

7-1111 

7— 

8—1100 

8-11 

9— lOlJ 

9—011 

10—1110 

10— 

J— XOl 

J— 

Q— 0(K)0 
K-llOO 

l=S 

! 


3 


1 


(JO  WANDERINGS   OF   A  VAOADOKD. 

lost,  and  two  remain  in  tho  box ;  four  was  the  top  card,  and  all 
the  sevens  remain  in  the  box,  etc. 

Vt  this  staKO  of  the  game  cautious  players  would  avoid  bet- 
ting upon  tS  seven,  ten,  or  Jack,  preferring  the  trois,  mx,  or 
nine  because  upon  tliese  latter  ear.lH  they  cannot  be  split,  an 
r  e  is  but  onE  of  each  in  the  box,  while  the  seven  ten,  ad 
Jack  are  all  in  the  box.  uud  arc  therefore  liable  to  spht  or  to  ap- 
pear  before  tho  othcra. 

KEEPING    THE    GAME    BY    A    CUE-BOX. 

Another  mode  of  keeping  the  game,  common  in  tj^°  Northern 
States  is  by  a  "cue-box,"  by  which  the  dUlcrent  stages  of  the 
g!^e  are  correctly  noted  by  one  of  the  players  or  by  a  regular 
''cuc-kecper,"  who  is  usuahy  attached  to  the  bank. 

The  cue-box  is  a  minir.turc  "lay-out,"  with  four  buttons  at- 
tached to  eacJ  Ia.  Those  familiar  with  billiards  w,ll  recog- 
nize this  as  the  same  method  of  keeping  that  game. 

At  the  beginning  of  each  deal,  the  buttons,  which  are  placed 
upon  wfres  extendrng  from  each  card,  are  all  shoved  up  to  the 
card-  iis  soonasaturnis  made  the  buttons  are  pushed  to  the 
oDDOsi  e  end  of  the  wire.  If  the  Jack  is  the  soda  card,  one  of 
Su  buttons  belonging  to  that  card  is  pushed  to  the  opposite 
ond  of  the  wire.  If  the  turn  come  a  kmg,  and  then  a  four,  a 
blon  Z:Z  king  and  one  from  the  four  i^  P-becUo  t^^^^^^^^^^ 
posite  end  of  the  wire,  and  so  on  to  the  end  o  the  deal,  so  that 
by  a  glance  of  the  eye,  the  player  can  see  how  many  of  each 
card  remain  in  the  dealer's  box. 

TECHNICAL    TERMS    USED    IN    FARO. 

BanlerorBacker.-ThQ  person  who  furnishes  tho  money  for 
^^iSr.-He  who  cieals^the  cards,  and  takes  and  pays  tho 

^'c«e  or  Case-Keeper.-The  person  who  marks  game  on  the 

cue-box. 
iooA-er-o.i/.-The  dealer's  assistant. 

C/iCcfcs.-Ivory  tokens  representing  money,  with  which  tue 
.rnmn  =q  nlavod*  thev  vary  in  color,  size,  and  value. 
'"ZHCrorH^MUj  Card  is  tho  last  card  remaining  in  the 
box  after  tho  deal  has  been  made.    When  one  turn  remam.  to 


^4. 


top  card,  and  all 

would  avoid  bet- 
tho  trois,  six,  or 
mnot  1)0  siilit,  :vs 
10  Hoveu,  ton,  and 
e  to  split  or  to  ap- 

UE-BOX. 

)n  in  tlie  Northern 

ircnt  stages  of  tlio 

3rs  or  by  a  i-ogular 

bank. 

;h  four  buttons  at- 

jilliards  will  rccog- 

gaiue. 

I,  which  aro  placed 

I  shoved  up  to  tho 

s  arc  pushed  to  the 

e  soda  card,  one  of 

shed  to  the  opposite 

and  then  a  four,  a 
Is  pushed  to  the  op- 
of  the  deal,  so  that, 

how  many  of  each 

N    FARO. 

ishes  tho  money  for 
takes  and  pays  tho 
marks  game  on  the 

ley,  with  which  the 
id  value. 

ard  remaining  in  the 
I  one  turn  remains  to 


FARO. 


61 


be  made,  there  arc  three  cards  in  the  box.  They  may  be,  for  ex- 
ample, the  live,  six,  and  seven.  We  will  .supi)o.sc  tlio  last  turn  to 
be  lir*!,  six,  leaving  the  seven  in  tho  box,  which  would  bo  called 
the  hock  card,  because,  as  the  game  was  originally  played,  tho 
dealer  took  "liock,"  that  is,  all  UKJUcy  whicli  happened  to  be 
placed  upon  that  card ;  tho  bank,  therefore,  luul  a  ccrlninty  of 
winning  tliat  money,  witliout  tho  possibility  of  losing  it;  lienco 
the  term  hock,  which  means  certainty. 

A  Deal.— 'Tho  dealer  is  said  to  have  made  a  deal  when  ho  has 
dealt  out  tho  whole  deck. 

A  Ttirn.-— Tho  two  cards  drawn  from  tho  dealer's  box,  one  for 
tho  bank  and  tlio  other  for  tlio  player,  which  thus  determines 
the  events  of  tlio  game,  constitute  a  turn. 

Coppering  a  Bct.—U  a  player  wislios  to  bet  that  a  card  will 
lose  (that  is,  win  for  tho  bank),  ho  indicates  his  wish  by  placing 
a  cent,  or  whatever  may  bo  provided  for  that  purpose,  upon  tho 
top  of  his  stake.  It  is  called  "coppering,"  because  cojjpers 
were  first  used  to  distinguish  such  bets. 

To  Bar  a  Bct.—K  player  having  a  bet  upon  a  card,  and  wish- 
ing to  bar  it  for  a  turn,  must  say  to  the  dealer,  "I  bar  this  bet 
for  tho  turn,"  pointing  to  it,  in  which  case  it  can  neither  win  nor 
lose. 

Last  CaW.— When  three  cards  only  remain  in  tho  box,  any 
player  has  the  privilege  of  calling  the  order  in  which  they  will 
be  dealt.  This  is  termed  the  last  call.  Tho  checks  are  placed  so 
as  to  express  tho  call,  and,  if  correctly  made,  the  bank  pays  four 
for  one,  and  if  a  "cat,"  two  for  one. 

A  Cat  or  Cat  ifarpew.— When  the  last  turn  consists  of  two 
cards  of  the  same  denomination,  and  one  card,  as  two  tens  and 
a  king,  it  is  called  a  cat. 

ParoU  or  Par/ec— Suppose  a  player  to  bet  five  dollars  upon 
the  ace,  it  wins,  and  the  dealer  pays  it ;  if  tlie  plaj'cr  then  allows 
the  ten  dollars  to  remain  upon  the  ace,  he  is  said  ♦^^o  play  his 
paroU,  which  means  the  original  stake  and  all  its  winnings. 

Pressing  a  Bet. — To  add  to  the  original  stake. 

Betting  even  Stakes  is  when  the  player  constantly  bets  the 
same  amount. 

Stringing  a  Bet  is  taking  in  one  or  more  cards,  remote  from 
tho  one  upon  which  the  bet  is  placed. 

Playing  a  Bet  Open  is  to  bet  a  card  will  win,  not  to  lose. 


I 


I 


68  WAKDEHING3  OF  A  VAGABOND 

Bevcatinq  and  Iimmr,f,.-A  card  is  said  to  repeat  vhen  it 
plays  as  it  did  upon  tlio  previous  deal,  and  to  trrersc  when  it 
plays  directly  opposite  ;  that  ir,,  if  it  won  four  times  it  is  said  to 
reverse  if  it  loses  four  times. 

Smp.-A  temporary  bank,  not  a  reRular  or  established  Rarae. 

Slcrprrs.—X  bet  is  said  to  bo  a  sleciicr  when  the  owner  has 
forgotten  it,  when  it  becomes  public  property,  any  one  having  a 

richt  to  take  it.  ,  ,     ,, 

A  Bet  or  Case  Cnrd.—Vfhm  three  cards  of  one  denomination 

have  been  dealt,  the  one  remaining  in  tho  box  is  called  a  bet, 

case,  or  sini/le  card. 

The  Soda  Card  is  the  top  card  of  tho  deck,  when  put  into  the 

dealing-box  preparatory  to  a  deal.  ,    ,     v.      *i 

Snakinq  a' Game.- X  game  is  said  to  bo  snaked  when  tbe 
dealer's  cards  have  been  stok'n,  and  privately  returned,  marked, 
or  prepared  in  such  a  manner  as  th:.t  when  they  are  dealt,  the 
Bnaker  knows  what  cards  will  win  or  lose.    Faro  banks  are  often 

broken  in  this  way.  , 

Throiving  off  a  Game.-V^hm  a  dealer,  by  a  preconcerted 
plan,  allows  a  player  to  w  in,  he  is  said  to  throw  off  the  game. 

Catching  a  J'Mrn.-Sometimes  tho  dealer  is  so  careless  in 
Bhuffling  his  cards,  that  a  shrewd  player  will  know  what  cards 
have  not  been  separated,  or  will  have  some  other  advantage  by 
which  he  will  beat  tho  turn ;  this  is  called  "  catching  a  turn." 

LAWS    OP    THE    GAMB. 

The  rules  of  faro  are  few  and  arbitrary,  and  are  based  upon 
principles  of  j.rstice  and  equity.  All  questions  or  points  of  con- 
troversy which  may  arise  during  a  deal,  may  at  once  be  settled 
by  refe'-'-''i«r  to  the  general  rules  or  principles  of  tho  game. 

All  bets  art  to  be  taken  or  paid  as  they  lie  upon  the  card, 
except  there  is  m\  express  understanding  to  tho  contraiy.  The 
intentions  of  a  pl.^er  aro  not  to  bo  c^  siderod  by  tho  dealer;  his 
bet  being  supposed  to  represent  his  lu.  ^ntion. 

If  a  player  wishes  to  bar  a  bot  on  a  card,  ho  must  make  the 
dealer  understand  that  ho  bars  it,  when  it  will  remain  barred 
until  he  says  "it  goes." 

If  a  player  should  put  a  bet  upon  a  card,  and  say  to  the  dealer, 
"  One  half  of  this  bet  goes,"  it  would  be  so  understood  until  the 
end  of  the  deal,  unless  the  order  was  revoked. 


% 


to  repeat  vhen  it 

0  reverse  when  it 
times  it  is  said  to 

eatal)lishe(l  Ranie. 
leii  tlie  owner  has 

1  any  quo  having  a 

one  denomination 
)ox  is  'galled  a  bet, 

,  when  put  into  the 

snaked  when  ti)e 

returned,  marked, 

they  am  dealt,  the 

iiro  banks  are  often 

by  a  preconcerted 
nw  off  the  game. 
•  is  so  careless  in 
1  know  what  cards 
other  advantage  by 
catching  a  turn." 


md  are  based  upon 
)ns  or  points  of  con- 
y  at  once  be  settled 
3  of  the  game. 
'  lie  upon  the  card, 
the  contraty.  The 
d  by  the  dealer;  his 
n. 

,  he  must  make  the 
will  remain  barred 

md  say  to  the  dealer, 
understood  until  the 


FARO.  W 

Should  a  player  or  the  dealer,  by  design  or  accident,  remove 
or  alter  a  bet  belonging  to  anotlicr,  ho  is  responsiljlc,  for  its  loss. 

When  two  players  bet  the  sumo  stake  "single"  ujion  dillbrciit 
cards,  one  coppered  and  the  other  to  win,  and  tliey  both  win 
upon  the  same  turn,  the  copper  bet,  being  the  llrst  to  win,  must 
be  paid, 

The  dealer  must  pay  all  bets  for  which  he  turns,  provided 
they  are  made  in  checks,  but  only  the  limit  of  the  game  if  in 
bank  bills. 

The  dealer  should  take  and  pay  correctly,  and  not  make  mis- 
takes by  design  or  through  carelessness ;  nor  should  ho  alter 
the  position  of  the  cards  dealt,  but  allow  them  to  remain  upon 
their  respective  piles  undisturbed. 

When  the  i)laycrs  have  broken  a  bank,  the  dealer  must  take 
and  pay  the  largest  bets  first.  Suppose  the  bank  to  have  but 
one  dollar  left,  a  turn  "a  made  by  which  the  dealer  wins  one 
dollar  and  loses  two  ;  ho  mu.st  take  the  dollar  he  wins,  and  pay 
the  dollar  lost;  the  ruie  is  to  take  and  pay  the  amount  of  the  bank 
in  sight. 

The  dealer  has  the  right  to  close  his  game,  or  to  quit  dealing, 
whenever  he  sees  proper  to  do  so. 

Players  have  the  right  to  count,  or  otherwise  examine  the 
cards  of  the  dealer,  if  they  suspect  foul  play,  or  if  they  wish  to 
guard  against  it.  In  all  cases  the  dealer  has  the  right  to  the 
last  shuffle  and  cut ;  and  where  he  permits  a  player  to  shufifle 
or  cut,  it  is  an  extension  of  courtesy  to  the  player,  and  not  bis 
right. 

THE    CHANCES    OF    THE     GAME. 

The  percentage  in  favor  of  the  bank  is  generally  estimated 
to  be  about  three  per  cent.,  but  the  average  is  evidently  more 
than  that.  Some  players  reduce  the  percentage  against  them 
to  almost  nothing,  while  other  players,  less  experienced,  give 
the  bank  enormous  advantages.  With  all  players  the  percent- 
age varies  with  each  turn  of  the  cards,  so  that  no  proper  esti- 
mate of  the  bank's  advantage  can  bo  made.  One  thing,  how- 
ever, is  certain — all  regular  faro  players  are  reduced  to  poverty, 
while  dealers  and  bankers,  who  do  not  play  against  the  game, 
amass  large  fortunes;  and,  again,  the  higher  order  of  faro-rooms 
are  gorgeously  furnished — luxurious  suppers  and  costly  wines 


>!| 


64 


■WANPElllNns  OK  A  VAr.ABOXn. 


arc  pratultonsly  oflVrod  to  plnvcrs,  and  tlio  proprietors  aro 
cvorywhoro  diHtiii-iiiislicd  for  tlii'ir  rfcUlt'S'i  (.'Xtriivii.i;iiiicc.  A'l 
this  is  siistiiiiicil  hy  the  pr-rcciita;;!)  of  the  niimi'. 

Almost  every  laro-pl;iyer  liiis  soiiio  pociiliar  system,  wliieli  ho 
rfrlves  to  believe  will  lieat  tlie  liank,  ami  wliieli  sometimes  doea 
realize  liis  liopes ;  but,  in  the  end,  all  systems  fail.  Tlio  truth 
is,  tlie  fitum  is  based  upon  eertain  matlicmatieal  prineiplcs, 
giviiit;  it"a  percentage  which  no  system  of  iilayinjj  caa  overcome. 

CALLING     THE    LAST    TURN. 

The  bank's  greatest  percentage  is  when  players  call  the  last 
turn,  as  is  here  illustrated  : 

Suppose  the  cards  remaining  In  the  box  to  bo  the  4,  5,  and 
fi;  the  turn  may  come  I,  5—4,  (i— r>,  4—.'),  G—C,  4,  or  0,  5. 
Therefore  it  may  come  six  ditVerent  ways,  but  ho  who  calls  it 
correctly  receives  only  four  for  one,  or  four  times  the  amount  of 
his  stake. 

When  the  turn  happens  to  bo  a  "cat,"  it  may  como  three 
dillereut  ways,  but  the  bank  pays  only  two  for  ono. 

No  better  exposition  could  bo  given  regarding  tlio  rules,  laws, 
and  maxims  which  govern  faro  as  It  Is  dealt  at  the  present  time 
in  this  country.  But  when  the  author  tells  us  that  the  percent- 
age in  favor  of  the  bank  is  generally  estimated  at  three  and  a  half 
per  cent.,  ho  displays  his  ab.solute  want  of  knowledge  upon  that 
subject.  Faro  is  the  only  banking  game  of  chance  known  to  us, 
whoso  percentage  cannot  bo  clearly  defined.  The  best  algebraista 
among  the  gambling  community  of  this  country  have  been  un- 
able to  show  us  that  faro  has  one  and  three-fourths  per  cent,  in 

its  favor. 

The  author  also  informs  us  that  "all  regular  faro-players  are 
reduced  to  poverty,  while  the  dealers  and  bankers,  who  do  not 
play  against  the  game,  amass  large  fortunes."  With  all  due  re- 
spect, he  does  not  ki'ow  what  ho  is  talking  about.  He  must 
have  derived  his  information  from  hearsay,  and  could  never 
have  consulted  intelligent  gamblers  on  the  subject.  There  are 
thousands  of  persons  who  have  played  against  faro  games 
almost  every  dav  of  their  iives,  from  budding  manhood  to  old 
age,  who  have  iiever  been  reduced  to  poverty.      I  can  recall 


proprietors  aro 
trava.i,'iincc.    J!l 

system,  whicli  ho 
I  somc'tiiiius  (1(103 
fiiil.  Tho  tnilh 
atical  priiiciiilcs, 
ng  caa  ovcrcumOi 

IN. 

ycra  call  tho  last 

0  bo  tho  4,  5,  and 
G— 0,  4,  or  r»,  5. 

it  ho  who  calls  it 
103  tho  amount  of 

may  como  three 
•  ono. 

ng  tlio  rules,  laws, 
,t  tho  present  time 
that  the  porcent- 
at  three  and  a  half 
:)\vledge  upon  that 
ance  known  to  us, 
he  best  algebraists 
itry  have  been  un- 
burths  per  cent,  in 

IV  faro-players  are 

inkers,  who  do  not 

With  all  due  re- 

about.    He  must 

and  could  never 

ibject.     There  are 

ainst  faro  games, 

ig  manhood  to  old 

rty.     I  can  recall 


FA  no. 


63 


many  sutli  rnsea  under  my  own  observation,  where  (ho  partieH 
ares:till  livini:,  with  iiniplo  means  tomistain  tiieinM-iveM  andthoso 
l)el()n,i;ing  lo  llu'iii.  I  also  doiilit  if  tliein  are  in  tlie  enuntry,  or 
liave  lieen  witiiin  the  last  tiiirty  years,  twenty  per-ions  who  Iiavo 
amassed  a  fDrttiiic  of  one  liinKlred  thousand  dollars  l»y  faro- 
dealing.  I  have  known  within  that  |)eri()(l,  myself,  hnndreils  of 
I'aro-hankers  who  have  n«>ver  made  more  than  a  respeetaltlo 
living  from  tlieir  business. 

The  author  says :  "  The  higher  order  of  faro-roonis  aro 
gorgecmsly  furnished  and  deeorated,  Itixurioiis  suppers  aro 
gratuitously  I'urnislicil  ttt  the  players,  together  wKli  eostly  wines, 
and  the  proprietors  arc  everywhere  distiiiguished  for  thtir  reek- 
less  extravaganee,  etc.,  and  all  this  is  sustained  by  tho  perrcnt- 
;i;;o  on  the  game." 

The  author,  as  well  as  the  publie  in  general,  has  a  most  erro- 
neou.s  opinion  on  the  .sulject  of  gambling-hou.ses  and  gamblers, 
and  is  as  unable  to  disthigui.sh  between  fair  ganihrmg,  and 
swii.dling  under  that  name,  as  to  undeisland  the  dill'erenee  be- 
tween a  car(l-sliari)er  and  an  lutnest  gand)ler.  To  separate 
these  ciiaracter -1,  to  plaec  gambling,  as  carried  on  in  tlii.)  eonntry, 
in  its  tr;io  light,  to  exi)()se  "card-sharping"  in  all  its  deformity, 
before  tlic  rei  der,  is  tho  prlnci[)al  obje(;t  of  the  writer  of  this 
book.     On  tlM^  matter  I  .shall  sjjoak  fully  in  its  jjroper  place. 

There  aro  i'.»  our  largo  cities  many  of  tho  upper  class  of  gam- 
bling-houses wl.o  furnish  suppers  gratuitously  to  their  i)atrons; 
and  some  of  thost,  which  deal  what  is  called  "  day-games,"  give 
dinners,  but  none  iuiiiish  wine  to  their  guests,  nor  aro  any  of 
these  fitted  up  otherNvise  tlirai  rospcetably  and  comfortably, 
that  is  to  say,  neither  gorgeously  nor  luxuriously.  Tho  expense 
often  in  some  hou.sos  amounts  to  ten  df)llars  per  day,  and  in  others 
from  twenty-flvo  to  fifty  per  day — an  expen.so  which  any  bank 
having  select  players,  and  doing  a  fiiir  business,  can  well  alTord. 
During  tho  civil  war,  when  money  was  plentiful,  a  fow  houses 
in  the  city  of  New  York  did  furnish  luxurious  suppers  and  costly 
wines  to  their  customers ;  but  these  houses  did  not  numl)er  four 
in  all,  and  their  unusual  entertaimncnt  did  not  last  over  a  year. 
The  houses  which  furni.shetl  them  could  well  afi'ord  to  do  so,  as 
each  of  them  had  an  opportunity  to  win  or  lose  daily  from 
twenty  to  thirty  thousand  dollars,  and  tho  amount  luade  from 
splits  by  such  heavy  play  was  enormous. 


66 


TVANDEEINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


In  New  Orleans  it  was  customary  for  such  houses  as  gave  en- 
tertainment, to  sot  ordinary  claret  wine  Ijcfore  th'!ir  guests,  but 
no  other  kind  was  given  by  any  of  the  "square"  gambling  hous- 
es in  that  city.  ,   r     X, 

I  am  led  to  believe  that  we  are  indebted  to  the  Frenca  for  the 
game  of  faro,  from  the  fact  that  all  the  peculiar  technical  \,ai^.3- 
es  used  in  playing  the  game  were  originally  m  that  language. 
As  "punters"  (players);  "couche,  or  enjeu"  (a  bet);  "coup" 
(a  turn);  "doublet"  (splits);  "Vunpour  I'autre"  (stand  off);  "  op- 
pos6"  (copper  bet).  All  these  terms  were  in  common  use  until 
American  innovations  were  introduced  into  the  game,  which 
commenced  some  fortj-  --ars  ago.  It  first  flourished  m  Louisi- 
ana, and  from  there  st  m.  ihroughout  the  Union.  When  gam- 
bling-houses first  were  \c.  ased  m  New  Orleans  (some  forty-five 
years  ago),  faro  was  placed  up.m  a  largo  oval  table  covered 
with  green  cloth;  on  one  side  was  the  "taiUeur"  (dealer);  and 
on  the  other  his  ^'croupier"  (look-out);  dealing-boxes  had  not 
then  been  invented,  and  gold,  f::-- and  bank-notes  answered 

the  purpose  of  checks.  ,    , ,  ^, 

When  the  dealer  had  shuffled  and  cut  his  cards,  he  held  the 
deck  (irmly  m  his  left  hand  with  the  face  downward.  When  the 
pla) '  -s  had  made  then-  bets,  he  turned  over  the  top  card  and 
placed  it  face  ucwards  on  the  table.  This  card  was  for  the 
bank.  Then  m  the  same  manner  he  exposed  the  next  card,  this 
being  for  the  players.  As  the  dealer  made  his  turns  in  this  wise, 
his  "croupier"  took  the  bets  the  bank  won  and  paid  those  which 
it  lost—  he  sole  duty  of  the  dealer  being  to  attend  to  the  cards; 
the  croupier  fu^alling  all  the  other  duties  of  the  game.  These 
games  were  generally  with  a  Umit  of  twenty-five  dollars,  but  the 
bankers  would  increase  the  limit  when  rivr  iry  sprang  up  be- 
tween different  bouses,  in  order  to  draw  patronage,  or  when  a 
rich  customer  refused  to  play  unless  the  lunit  was  increased  foi 
his  especial  accommodation. 

In  such  cases  the  limit  was  usually  raised  by  givmg  to  the 
player  the  privilege  of  going  his  paroh.  For  example :  if  ho  bet 
twenty-five  dollars  and  won,  he  could  let  his  stake  and  its 
produet  remain,  which  allowed  1  im  to  bet  fifty  dollars.  Some- 
times the  paroli  was  allowed  to  be  repeated  ^.wice,  which  enabled 
the  player  to  realize  (supposing  both  stakes  to  have  won)  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars.    This  mithod  of  betting  is 


DND. 

I  houses  as  gave  en- 
ore  tli'!ir  guests,  but 
arc"  gambling  hous- 

to  the  French  for  the 
iliar  technical  j^hras- 
ily  m  that  language. 
u"  (a  bet);  "coup" 
(re"  (stand  off);"  op- 
ia  common  use  until 
ito  the  game,  which 
flourished  in  Louisi- 
Union.  When  gam- 
eans  (some  forty-five 
B  oval  table  covered 
jiUeiir"  (dealer);  and 
ealing-boxes  had  not 
bank-notes  answered 

lis  cards,  he  held  the 
ownward.  When  the 
ver  the  top  card  and 
'his  card  was  for  the 
5cd  the  next  card,  this 
!  his  turns  in  this  wise, 
L  and  paid  those  which 

0  attend  to  the  cards; 
of  the  game.    These 

ty-five  dollars,  but  the 
rivr  iry  sprang  up  be- 
patronage,  or  when  a 
imit  was  increased  foi 

ised  by  giving  to  the 
""or  example  :  if  ho  bet 
let  his  stake  and  its 
it  fifty  dollars.  Some- 
id  *.wice,  which  enabled 
,kf,s  to  have  won)  one 

1  mithod  of  betting  is 


HfiWWn-gw'if' 


FARO. 


G7 


termed  a  running  limit,  and  has  been  almost  universally  adopted 
by  the  faro- bankers  of  the  United  States.  Bankers  made  their 
limits  to  suit  their  capital,  small  games  made  their  limits  thus : 
Three  doUai's  the  amount  of  tao  first  stake,  with  the  privilege 
of  paroling  it  twice  and  taking  down  twenty-four  dollars.  Other 
banks  made  their  limits  six  and  a  quarter,  with  the  privilege  of 
running  it  to  fifty.  Still  others,  twelve  and  a  half,  with  the  priv- 
ilege of  running  it  to  one  hundred,  while  others  allowed  the  first 
stake  to  be  twenty-five,  with  the  privilege  of  paroling  it  to  two 
hundred  dollars,  and  a  very  few  made  their  limit  fifty,  with 
paroli  to  four  hundred. 

Deahng-boxes  were  invented  for  protecting  the  bank.  How- 
ever careful  a  dealer  might  be  with  the  pack  of  cards  in  his 
hand,  scores  of  sharp  eyes  were  ever  on  the  alert  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  least  scratch,  speck,  or  bend,  and  to  turn  it  to  their 
own  account.  In  this  case  it  was  the  banker  only,  who  was  liable 
to  become  the  victim  of  wily  sharpers.  But  about  the  year 
1833,  or  perhaps  a  j  jar  earlier,  it  was  discovered  that  the  player 
also  required  some  pi  otection.  Somewhere  about  this  period  an 
old  German,  named  Swigel,  maf^.e  his  appearance  in  New 
Orleans.  This  worthy  old  gentleman  was  direct  from  Europe, 
and  could  neither  speak  English  or  French.  After  taking  a 
bird's-eye  view  of  that  fast  city,  he  concluded  that  he  could 
make  a  fortune  there  running  a  faro-bank.  By  his  address  and 
money  combined,  he  managed  to  procure  a  half  interest  in  one 
which  was  located  in  one  of  the  principal  gambling-houses  in 
the  city.  For  more  than  six  months  ho  went  along  swimmingly ; 
his  game  having  won  in  that  time  some  sixty  thousand  dollars. 
The  principal  moneyed  gamblers  played  against  his  bank,  be- 
cause ho  gave  to  them  a  larger  limit  than  any  other  banker  in 
New  Orleans  was  willing  to  do.  In  fact,  at  times  the  old  fellow 
did  not  believe  the  limit  of  a  faro -bank  was  worthy  of  a  thought. 
Many  people,  observing  his  eccentric  habits,  believed  him  to  be 
insane,  or  at  any  rate  "  a  little  deranged ;"  but,  in  spite  of  all,  he 
managed  to  haul  in  whatever  money  was  bet  against  the  bank. 
He  never  associated  with  any  one,  and  in  the  mornings  could  be 
seen  taking  his  solitary  walk  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  In 
these  promenades  he  always  carried  in  his  hands  a  pack  of  cards, 
and  kept  his  arms  in  cons'  mt  motion,  as  if  dealing  for  his  play- 
ers.   Finally  the  uld  fellow  was  one  evening  detected  in  the  act 


!.  :• 


gg  -WANrERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

of  taking  the  second  card  from  the  pnck  while  dealing  a  heavy 
game.    This  operation  of  course  altered  the  turn,  by  throwing 
the  card  which  belonged  to  the  player  in  favor  of  the  bank.    In 
the  general  row  that  ensued,  the  worthy  old  gentleman  made 
his  escape  in  safety,  and  was  never  heard  of  afterwards  ni  the 
city  of  New  Orleans.     His  bank,  wliich  contained  at  Ihc  tnuo 
about  six  thousand  dollars,  was  seized  by  tlio  players,  togcthcT 
w'thhis  cards,  which  were  discovered  to  be  all  privately  marked. 
This,  however,  would  have  been  of  no  use  to  him,  unless  ho 
could  have  changed  the  position  of  the  cards  in  the  turn,  a  tbmg 
which  he  accomphshed  with  such  unerring  dexterity  that  the 
shrewdest  gamblers  in  tiiS  land  failed  to  detect  it  for  months. 
Though  the  house  shared  equally  in  the  prolits,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  none  of  its  proprietors  were  in  the  old  fellow  s 
confidence.  . 

As   long  as  public   gaming  was    allowed  to  exist  m  New- 
Orleans,  rules  and  maxims  for  playing  faro  were  established,  Init 
when,  in  1836,  the  license-law  was  repealed,  selfish  men,  m  order 
to  benefit  their  pockets  thereby,  foisted  upon  the  game  many 
unjust  laws  and  innovations.    The  cases  were  not  allowed  to  bo 
kept,  bets  once  placed  on  the  "lay-out"  were  not  to  bo  removed 
until  an  action  on  them  had  taken  place.    The  object  of  thiswas 
to  keep  plavcrs  in  ignorance  of  which  cards  were  "cases,"  and 
to  confine  their   bets  to   double,  trebl  ,  and  quadruple  cards. 
"  Hock"  was  revived  bv  many  bankers,  wh.le  in  licensed  gamb- 
iing-houses  it  was  thrown  from  the  game.    7.ut  it  was  only  cross- 
road  gamblers  and  those  who  dealt  faro-games  at  race  tracks, 
that  claimed  "  hoekelty."    The  only  chance  a  player  had  to  es- 
cape  "hock,"  was  when  the  cards  in  the  last  turn  were  all 
"  cases."    If  any  two  of  these  three  cards  ccmnected,  he  could  so 
place  his  bet  as  to  include  the  connecting  cards,  and  by  so  doing 
either  won,  lost,  or  had  a  stand-off  for  it.    But  if  a  "  cat "  was 
in  the  last  turn,  he  had  either  to  risk  losing  his  money  in  "hock," 
or  to  risk  having  his  bet  split,  and  he  cmild  not  take  the  latter 
chance  unless  the  case  and  the  double  card  were  connectors. 
Should  the  last  three  cards  be,  for  example,  the  king,  four,  and 
seven,  none  of  which  connect— and  in  those  days  no  bet  was  al- 
lowed to  include  any  card  which  did  not  connect— the  players 
who  had  bets  on  anv  of  the  cards  mentioned  could  not  remove 
them,  thus  giving  to  tli^-  bank  a  percentage  of  33^  per  cent,  oa 
all  stakes  placed  on  case  cards  on  the  last  turn. 


w; 
fa 

Vf 

til 

01 

gf 

St 

h; 
tr 
tl] 
cc 
tl 
al 
w 
e^ 
It 
d( 

C£ 
tl 

t\ 

tc 

P 
S( 
01 

h 


•I 


ilo  dealing  a  heavy 
a  turn,  by  throwiug 
or  of  the  bauk.  lu 
Id  geutlenmu  made 
)f  afterwards  in  the 
iitaincd  at  the  time 
10  players,  together 
all  privately  niarlunl. 
10  to  him,  unless  ho 
s  in  the  turn,  a  thing 
;  dexterity  that  the 
etect  it  for  months. 
)lits,  it  is  more  than 
)  in  the  old  fellow's 

cd  to  exist  in  New 
were  established,  but 
,  selfish  men,  in  order 
pon  the  game  many 
>ro  not  allowed  to  bo 
■re  not  to  bo  removed 
The  object  of  this  was 
ds  were  "cases,"  and 
;nd  qnadniple  cards, 
lie  in  licensed  gamb- 

TAXt  it  was  only  cross- 
:ames  at  race  tracks, 
c  a  player  had  to  es- 
,e  last  turn  were  all 
onnected,  he  could  so 
3ards,  and  by  so  doing 

But  if  a  "cat"  was 
;  his  money  in  "hock," 
d  not  take  the  latter 
■ard  were  connectors, 
lo,  the  king,  four,  and 
.0  days  no  bet  was  al- 
,  connect— the  players 
Qcd  could  not  remove 
e  of  33^  per  cent,  on 
turn. 


VABO.  69 

Competition,  and  a  more  liberal  spirit  ontho  part  of  gamblers, 
have  destroyed  the  old-fogy  system  of  playing,  aud  have  divest- 
ed faro  of  the  frauiluleut  rules  foisted  upou  it  by  uuserupolous 
men.  For  this  desirable  revolution  wo  are  indebted  to  eastern 
gamblers,  more  especially  those  of  New  York.  The  change  was 
gradual,  and  it  was  only  after  a  struggle  of  years  in  duration 
that  faro  was  brought  to  its  present  perfection.  First,  "  hockel- 
ty  "  was  abandoned,  then  cases  were  allowed  to  be  kept  by  the 
players  with  counters,  or  cheeks,  to  mark  the  game.  This  soon 
led  to  the  introduction  of  "cue-boards,"  or  "  case-keepers,"  and 
shortly  after  that  to  "cue-papers."  But  the  great  struggle 
was  between  the  runniug  and  the  open  limit :  the  former  being 
far  more  advantageous  to  the  bank.  lu  the  first  place  it  is  ad- 
vantageous to  a  bank  to  compel  a  player  to  win  his  bet  three 
times  in  order  to  win  his  highest  limit.  The  odds  are  seven  to 
one  he  will  not  succeed.  Besides  this  disadvantage,  the  running 
game  forced  reclcless  players  to  play  on  double,  treble,  and 
quadruple  cards,  which  they  often  did  in  order  to  run  their  first 
stake  to  the  extreme  liuiit.  so  as  to  bet  it  on  a  case  card.  The 
bankers  would  not  allow  players  to  pick  up  their  bets  from  double, 
treble,  or  quadruple  cards,  until  an  action  had  takeu  place  on 
them ;  but  the  owner  of  a  bet  had  a  right  to  include  with  it  any 
connecting  card  or  cards.  The  greedy  bankers  also  exercised 
their  arbitrary  rules  to  such  an  extent,  that  they  would  not  even 
allow  a  plixyer  to  bat  his  bet  for  a  single  turn  after  ho  had  once 
won  it,  or  its  paroli ;  and  if  ho  removed  it  from  the  lay-out,  for 
even  a  single  turn,  his  next  bet  was  reduced  to  the  original  limit. 
It  will  be  easily  undei  )od,  from  this  compulsory  method  of 
dealing  faro,  that  the  objectwas  to  drive  the  players  upon  double 
cards,  thereby  enhancing  the  percentage  of  the  bauk  by  splitting 
their  bets. 

A  faro-bank  doahng  the  "copper"  game,  and  with  a  limit  of 
twenty-five  dollars  and  one  hundred  dollars,  that  is,  the  privilege 
to  paroli  twenty-five  to  two  hundred  dollars,  can  bo  beaten  by  a 
player  at  a  single  deal,  out  of  two  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
seventy-five  dollars ;  but  if  the  player  lost  every  time  possible 
on  the  deal,  the  bank  could  only  win  from  him  one  thousand  two 
hundred  and  fifty. 

An  open  limit  means  when  a  bank  takes  a  stated  amount, 
which  may  be  bet  by  a  player  any  time  during  the  deal.    A  game 


5  . 
I,  i 


llli 


1  I'l 


70 


WAKDEKIJ.OS  Cv     1  VAGABOND. 


of  this  sort,  dealt  with  a  limit  of  lifty-four  dollars,  would  be  equal  in 
money  to  arunning  limit  jf  twenty-five,  and  one  hundred  dollars. 
Either  of  those  games  may  bo  beaten  on  a  single  deal,  providing 
no  split  happens,  out  of  two  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  dollars,  and  Lue  bank,  with  an  open  limit,  may  win  the  same 
amount  on  a  deal;  while  the  one  with  the  running  hmit  could 
only  win  one  tbousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  But  as 
the  odds  are  98,729,  443,094,  784  to  1,  it  is  not  probable  that 
we  shall  ever  hoar  of  any  person  winning  or  losing  on  every  card 
throughout  a  deal  at  faro.  This  calculation  is  merely  intended  to 
showlho  difference  between  what  can  bo  won  and  lost  during  a 
deal  of  faro  having  an  open  limit,  and  one  having  a  running  limit. 
The  running  game  in  bad  luck  can  lose  double  the  amount  it  can 
win  in  good  luck;  while  the  open  game  can  win  as  much  on  a  deal 
as  it  can  lose.  It  would  appear,  at  the  first  glance,  that  the  open 
game  would  be  the  best  for  the  banker;  but  such  is  not  the  case. 
The  paroli  is  a  heavy  percentage  hi  favor  of  the  bank,  besides 
having  atendency  to  force  players,  as  I  have  already  stated,  on 
double  cards;  thus  giving  an  opportunity  to  split  the  beta,  which 
can  in  a  great  measure  bo  avoided  at  the  open  games;  for  the 
cautious  player  may  greatly  reduce  the  percentage,  by  playing 
on  small  double  nards  until  a  case  appears,  when,  if  he  wishes, 
he  can  bet  the  liu.it,  and  have  an  even  chance  for  his  money. 

The  open  game  of  faro  was  first  introduced  into  New  England, 
and  shortly  after  made  its  appearance  in  the  city  of  New  York ; 
where,  hi  the  course  of  a  few  years,  it  usurped  the  place  of  the 
running  game  altogether.  No  faro  games  with  any  open  hmits 
were  dealt  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States  until  after  the 
Mexican  war.  That  event  exerted  considerable  mfluence  on 
the  introduction  of  the  open  game  into  the  cities  of  New  Orleans, 
St.  Louis,  and  Cincinnati.  When  the  City  of  Mexico  was  cap- 
tured by  the  American  forces,  many  faro  dealers  from  the  States 
flocked  there.  They  found  on  their  arrival  there  that  moute  was 
the  attracting  game ;  even  professionals  played  against  it  rather 
than  the  small  faro  games,  which  were  dealt  with  running  limits 
of  twenty-five  and  one  hundred  dollars,  and  many  even  less. 
There  was  plenty  of  money,  not  only  among  those  gamblers  who 
followed  the  army,  but  among  contractors,  merchants,  and  ofQcers, 
numbers  of  whom  would  bo  willing  to  patronize  faro,  if  dealt  on 
a  liberal  scale.    A  rivalry  relative  to  procuring  players  sprung 


Pfp 


OND. 


vrs,  would  be  equal  in 
one  hundred  dollars, 
ingle  deal,  providing 
undrcd  and  seventy - 
it,  may  win  the  same 
running  hmit  could 
Qfty  dollars.    But  as 
is  not  probable  that 
losing  on  every  card 
is  merely  intended  to 
on  and  lost  during  a 
iving  a  running  limit, 
ale  the  amount  it  can 
rin  as  much  on  a  deal 
jlance,  that  the  open 
I  such  is  not  the  case, 
of  the  bank,  besides 
ve  already  stated,  on 
>  split  the  bets,  which 
open  games;  for  the 
jrccntage,  by  playing 
3,  when,  if  he  wishes, 
ice  for  his  money. 
3d  into  New  England, 
le  city  of  New  York ; 
•ped  the  place  of  the 
with  any  open  limits 
tates  until  after  the 
iderable  influence  on 
cities  of  New  Orleans, 
r  of  Mexico  was  cap- 
jalers  from  the  States 
.  there  that  moute  was. 
ayed  against  it  rather 
it  with  running  limits 
and  many  even  less, 
g  those  gamblers  who 
lerchants,  and  ofQcers, 
onize  faro,  if  dealt  on 
juring  players  sprung 


FAKO. 


n 


up  among  tlie  gamblers,  especially  among  those  newly  arrived. 
Banks  were  opened  with  running  limits  of  flfty  and  two  hundred 
dollars,  then  witli  limits  of  one  liuiidrcd  and  four  hundred  dollars. 
Such  limits  were  only  soon  at  the  Mississippi  land-sales,  and  in 
Mobile,  whon  Brandon  money  was  issued  by  the  cord.  Finally  a 
Tennessee  gambler  named  Andrew  Rogers  oi)oned  a  bank,  and 
declared  his  limit  to  be  an  open  two  hundred  dollars.  The  idea 
was  now  in  that  place,  and  the  players  could  bet  their  money  as 
they  pleased,  without  l)elng  trammeled  by  old-fogy  notions  and 
rules.  The  new  game  was  a  success,  and  received  the  principal 
patronage,  and  several  others,  not  to  be  outdone,  also  p-^  claimed 
their  games  to  be  an  open  limit  of  two  hundred  dollars.  Com- 
petition actually  forced  the  now  game  on  many  bankers  who 
thought  it  had  no  percentage  in  its  favor.  But  tbey  soon  dis- 
covered their  error.  Many  of  tliese  bankers,  when  peace  was  con- 
cluded, opened  their  games  in  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati, 
Louisville,  and  the  watering-])lace3  of  Kentucky.  These  games 
were  dealt  with  an  open  limit  of  one  hundred,  and  sometimes  fifty 
dollars.  From  that  time  the  open  game  became,  throughout  the 
Southwest,  extremely  popular,  and  would  undoubtedly  have 
broken  up  all  the  running  games  in  the  country,  had  not  the 
California  excitement  at  this  time  drained  the  country  of  its 
most  liberal  gamblers,  leaving  behind  only  an  old-fogy  class,  who 
were  terrified  at  the  very  name  of  "open  game  of  faro."  So  this 
game  was  left  exclusively  to  the  city  of  Now  York  and  tlje  New 
England  States,  in  which  last  section  it  had  its  origin. 

The  principal  faro-bankers  who  reached  California  early  in 
1849,  had  been  in  the  City  of  Mexico.  •  All  these  set  up  the  banks 
with  open  limits.  Whon  the  public  gaming-houses  had  got  well 
started,  the  proprietors  adopted  the  running  limits  of  twenty-five 
and  one  hundred  dollars  in  their  pul)lic  saloons ;  but  in  their  pri- 
vate rooms  all  their  faro  games  wore  dealt  with  open  limits,  and 
V  hen  the  New  York  and  New  England  gamblers  arrived,  they 
also  dealt  it.  After  the  suppression  of  public  gambling-houses, 
there  was  not  a  running  game  of  fiiro  in  the  State  of  California. 
The  returning  California  gamblers,  witli  the  assistance  of  those 
from  Now  York  cit^  and  New  England  States,  finally  wiped  out 
every  vestige  of  it  from  the  United  States,  and  scarcely  a  game 
of  the  kind  could  be  found  there  after  the  year  1859,  and  'tis  now 
extremely  doubtful  wliether  one  can  be  found  qp  the  continent 
of  North  America. 


1 


i 


•} 


<  iW 


"'?,  I 


W 


'    11 


I 


72 


WANDEKIKGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


"Opposi'^'  was  idcntifloa  with  the  old  gario  of  faro,  as  men- 
tionecl  by  Uoylo  in  his  book  of  games.    It  means,  transhited  in- 
to  Eu'-lish,  "  copper-betting."     Hut  the  early  faro  bankers  of 
this  country  exi)unge<l  it  from  tiic  game,  believing  it  to  bo  un- 
favorable to  tlu'ir  interi'Kts.     They  were  unable  to  understand 
that  the  more  inducements  they  oflcred  to  players  to  stake  their 
ihoney     ho  more  chances  the  bank  had  to  split  it.     Still,  coppcr- 
bettiii''  was  kept  up  in  spi:o  of  the  bankers,  until  it  again  found 
a  place  in  the  game.    Offers  would  be  made  and  taken  among 
plavers  that  such  or  such  a  card  would  win  for  the  bank ;  such 
wafers  were  termed  "flyers,"  and  were  frequently  taken  by  the 
bankers  themselves.    When  a  player  offere.l  to  make  a  bet  of 
this  kind,  and  the  dealer  or  any  of  bis  assistants  accepted  it,  the 
stake  was  placed  on  the  designated  card  and  a  copper  cent 
placed  upon  it  to  distinguish  it  from  the  other  bets  on  the  "  lay- 
out "    About  the  year  1845  the  faro-dcalers  of  New  York  city 
received  copper  bets  as  a  constituent  part  of  the  game  for  the 
first  time.    From  that  city  it  spread  through  the  State,  and  was 
adopted  by  the  dealers  of  the  New  England  States.     But  the 
dealers  of  Philadelphia  and  all  cities  south  or  west  of  it  rehised 
it  until  many  years  later,  and  even  then  it  was  forced  upon  them 
by  competition.    In  1853  the  first  copper  game  was  opened  m 
Philadelphia,  and  was  introduced  by  a  party  of  returned  Califor- 
nia gamblers.    It  was  three  years  later  before  one  was  opened 
in  New  Orleans,  and  but  few  of  the  faro-bankers  south  of  the 
Potomac  River  or  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains  adopted  it 
before  the  year  1857 ;  nor  would  they  have  done  so  then,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  gamblers  from  California,  New  York,  and  the 
New  En-Tlaud  States.    These  nomads  were  traveling  over  the 
country  and  setting  up  their  games  wherever  players  could  be 
found;  and,  by  playing  the  copper  game,  succeeded  m  leaving 
the  local  banks  deserted— a  proceeding  which  forced  the  deal- 
ers to  adopt  it  also.    In  this  manner  it  was  rendered  a  constitu- 
ent part  of  faro.    Notwithstanding  the  rivalry  existing  among 
the  faro-bankcrs  in  the  city  of  ^Mexico,  and  their  l)ids  to  procure 
players,  so  fearful  were  they  of  the  copper-game,  that  but  one 
bank  in  the  city  adopted  it,  that  being  the  one  mentioned  as 
running  with  an  open  limit.    Some  of  these  bankers  would  at 
times  Hsk  their  monev  on  games  with  open  limit,  but  refused  to 
play  the  copp^.    We  find  a  few  years  later  that  this  dread  had 


S( 

ei 
e< 
ir 
P' 

01 
D( 

tL 

fi' 
to 
th 
lie 
de 
lei 

so: 

br 

th( 

wa 

tw 

nn: 

bai 

be( 

tha 

mo 

bul 

We 

ten 

If  i 

sec( 

the 

eve 

arg 

car( 

er, 

hall 

ceni 

"h£ 


;d. 

I  ol"  faro,  as  men- 
ms,  translated  in- 
ly faro  bankers  of 
eviug  it  to  bo  un- 
blo  to  understand 
lyers  to  stake  their 
,t  it.  Still,  c'opiicr- 
ntil  it  again  found 
and  taken  among 
;or  the  bank  ;  such 
ontly  taken  by  the 

to  make  a  bet  of 
iits  accepted  it,  tlio 
and  a  copper  cent 
■r  bets  on  the  "  lay- 

of  New  York  city 
■  the  game  for  the 

the  State,  and  was 
a  States.  But  the 
r  west  of  it  refused 
IS  forced  upon  them 
ame  was  opened  in 
of  returned  Califor- 
)rc  one  was  opened 
inkers  south  of  tho 
ountains  adopted  it 
iono  so  then,  had  it 
New  York,  and  tho 

tra^'eling  over  the 
er  players  could  be 
icceeded  in  leaving 
eh  forced  tho  deal- 
rendered  a  coustitu- 
ilry  cxistin.LT  among 
their  bids  to  procure 
-game,  that  but  one 
e  one  mentioned  as 
io  bankers  would  at 
limit,  but  refused  to 
that  this  dread  had 


FAUO. 


73 


!?ST  *  rr  ^^\  ^^'^  °^"'"  "'■^'^^•^'"^^  S''^'°'>l«r8  Who  came 
eai  y  to  California  dealt  it.  One  was  opened  in  San  Francisco 
early  in  1849  that  dealt  tho  copper,  and  without  a  limit.  Those 
in  pub  ic  saloons  played  a  running  limit,  but  admitted  tlio  cop- 
per  only  on  tho  last  turn.  In  fact,  nearly  all  the  games  through- 
out tho  State,  that  dealt  a  running  limit,  conducted  their  busi- 
ness  m  a  like  muuuer,  hut  those  who  dealt  an  open  limit  played 
the  copper.  i    j^^ 

It  was  the  prevailing  belief  among  a  largo  majority  of  the 
gambling  fraternity  that  tho  copper  game  was  disadvantageous 
to  the  bank,  and  so  iinpres,scd  were  many  of  them  with  this  idea, 
that  they  would  take  no  stock  in  sucli  a  game.  They  also  be- 
lieved that  more  cases  would  lose  than  ,vin  in  a  stated  number  of 
deals.  For  two  or  three  years  after  the  discovery  of  gold,  gamb- 
lers could  bo  found  daily  in  front  of  faro-banks,  endeavoring  to 
solve  this  problem  by  coppering  tlio  cases  with  even  stakes,  but 
most  of  them  got  tho  worst  of  tho  bargain  and  retired  "dead 
broke."  "oau. 

For  many  years  after  coppering  became  an  established  part  of 
the  game,  it  was  tho  general  belief  that  coppering  adoublocard 
was  disadvantageous  to  the  player,  regardless  of  splits.     "If 
two  cards,"  they  argued,  "lie  together  in  the  dealing-box,  they 
must  split,  or  the  first  that  appears  must  win;  consequently  the 
bank  will  either  split  tho  bet  or  win  it;  whereas,  if  the  bet  had 
been  played  open  it  must  win  if  the  cards  do  not  divide  "    In 
that  case  the  player  loses  but  half  his  money,  which  is  tanta- 
mount  to  his  betting  one  to  two.    Such  reasoning  is  very  illusive 
hut  It  hnz  its  hold  on  many  of  the  gamblers  of  tho  present  day! 
We  will  say,  for  instauc'c,  that  tho  player  coppers  tho  double 
ten  with  a  dollar;  if  the  card  does  not  split  it  wins  and  ho  loses.  ^ 
If  It  was  destined  the  first  ten  should  win,  so  was  it  that  the 
second  should  lose,  for  it  lies  under  that  exposed  on  the  box  • 
then  let  the  player  copper  the  ten  for  another  dollar,  and  he  is 
even;  it,  m  fact,  equalizes  the  whole  matter.    To  support  then- 
argument  against  coppering  double  cards,  they  sav,  "  When  a 
card  splits,  tho  first  one  on  tho  turn  comes  a  winner'for  the  play- 
er, when  tho  next  one  dashes  realitv  aside  and  makes  him  lose 
half  Ins  money :  thuy  making  a  difference  of  seventy-five  per 
cent,  against  him  in  ippenrancc."    "  On  the  contrary,"  they  say 
had  the  bet  no  copper  on  It,  the  appearance  of  tlfc  first  card  on 


WANDKRINOS  OF  A  VAOABOXD. 


74 

th«  tnvn  warns  the  player  that  his  luonoy  is  lost,  v;hen  the  agreo- 
IberhroHheseioud  returns  half  his  money  thus  m  appear- 
:i  :  Sng  him  a  gainer  by  fifty  per  -nt  by  bo  turn  ^ 

T?rn;   Hii.h reasoniuK  as  this  wo  receive  no  mstrutt urns  m  mo 
J        oTe\anees%nd  they  only  serve  to  display  the  suduen 
vi.  .r  ons  horn  sorrow  to  joy  and  from  joy  to  sorrow,  wlueh  ako 
,:;     "he  mind  of  the  player,  as  l^^-^^t''^;,!!;;"  f  i!^ 
'  '  .V  .  Jlo  the  dealer  is  making  a  turn.    If  a  card  split  t  was 
uestined      -'so  when  the  player  placed  his  stake  upon  ,t  and 
also  destined  L3  should  lose  half  his  stake  if  he  allowed  it  to  re- 
i'Sute^lit  took  place,  and  wh^^^^^^^^^^ 
on  his  stake  or  left  it  open,  ho  still  loses  half,  no  nioio,  t^^o  ^^^^^ 
Nor  could  the  c™  on  or  off  his  bet,  influence  it  favorably  or 
otherw^e     111  proc  ss  of  reasoning  to  the  contrary  is  fallacious. 
tL  bank  bas  aleidod  advantage  over  bets  placed  ..  dcnU^e, 
treble,  and  quadruple  cards,  because  ^'1^''"  ^^.^^^.f  P^^iV^i^',  ^ 
half  the  money  found  upon  it.    Upon  ca^o  cards  thebank  hasno 
nercenta<Te ;  all  reasoning  to  the  contrary  is  defectu  o. 
TaUs  we;e  first  adopted  in  the  city  of  New  York  about  the 
same  tlme^  the  copper  game,  and  after  a  great   eugth  of  time 
flnTly  became  one  of  the  principles  belonging  to  laro.    StiU, 
fhe  e  are  ye^  to  be  found  in  the  South  and  West,  bankers  who 
rSe  to  receive  them  at  their  games,  and  who  are  mcapable  of 
roZeheXg  that -calls"  are  the  heaviest  percentage  m  the 
Tame  of  5aio     When  there  remains  in  the  box  but  one  turn,  the 
Ser  hS  to  guess  the  order  in  which  the  cards  will  appear,  in 
2r  to  win  his  call.    The  chances  are  five  to  one  against  hs 
dig  ^;  yet,  if  he  succeeds,  he  is  only  paid  four  times   iisbe  , 
wS  makes  he  percentage  on  calls  twenty  per  cent,  m  favor  of 
.    The  bank.    On  a  "cat"  it  is  two  to  one  that  the  player  caiino 
Zss    the  order  in  which  the  cards  will  appear,  and  if  he 
Sedlheis  paid  twice  the  amount  of  bi«  ^take  Jt  is  gen- 
erally  conceded  by  inteUigent  gamblers,  that  the  bank  has  no 

T)ercentaeeon"calls"madoona  "cat."  ^ 

,  ^  Many  mathematicians  have  set  their  brains  to  work  to  discov- 
or  the  cKact  percentage  on  faro,  but  in  every  instance  they  have 
i'nlinSy  failed.  ^They  have  told  us  that  on  one  thousand 
deaTof  the  game,  the  splits  on  each  deal  will  average  one  and 
one  half,  sle  of  these  astute  calculators  have  told  us  that  two 
sSms  per  de^  is  a  fair  average,  but  it  seems  none  of  them,  as 


OXD. 

lost,  v;hen  the  agreo- 
uey,  tl.ua  in  appear- 
by  tbo  turn." 
no  instructions  in  the 
display  tlio  siulden 
to  sorrow,  wliicli  talco 
clics  tho  issue  of  liis 
If  a  card  split  it  was 
IS  stake  upon  it,  and 
f  be  allowed  it  to  ro- 
ir  be  placed  a  copper 
lalf,  no  more,  no  less. 
uence  it  favorably  or 
contrary  is  fallacious. 
Bts  placed  on  double, 
I  a  card  splits  it  takes 
cards  tbo  bank  bas  no 
is  defective. 
New  York  about  tbo 
a  great  length  of  time 
onging  to  faro.    Still, 
nd  West,  bankers  wbo 
1  who  are  incapable  of 
viest  percentage  in  tbo 
5  box  but  one  turn,  the 
le  cards  will  appear,  in 
five  to  one  against  his 
paid  four  times  his  bet, 
nty  per  cent,  in  favor  of 
that  the  player  cannot 
will  appear,  and  if  ho 
r  his  stake.    It  is  gen- 
,  that  the  bank  has  no 

rains  to  work  todiscov- 
very  instance  they  have 
s  that  on  one  thousand 
sal  will  average  one  and 
)rs  have  told  us  that  two 
I;  seems  none  of  them,  as 


DEPABTUBE. 


75 


yet,  have  come  to  any  defluito  conclusion  on  that  or  any  of  these 
pomts.  They  have  also  told  us  that  a  pack  of  cards  in  twenty- 
live  tm-u8,  counting  tho  "soda"  and  "hock"  as  "dead"  cards 
can  come  six  hundred  and  two  different  ways,  counting  among 
that  number,  twenty-live  splits  which  may  take  place.  They 
have  calculated  tho  chances  of  quadruple,  triple,  and  double 
cards  splitting  at  any  stage  of  a  deal.  Still  tlieso  clear  heads 
are  unable  to  arrive  at  tho  exact  percentage  on  the  game.  Some 
think  it  will  reach  two  and  one-half  per  cent.,  while  a  majority 
of  the  most  intelligent  gamblers  iu  tho  couutry  believe  it  willuot 
exceed  one  and  ono-lialf. 


.'     CHAPTER    IX. 

DEPARTURE. 

Tlie  assiduona  attention  which  I  paid  to  the  Major  and  hia 
patrons  completely  won  his  heart,  and  gained  me  the  friendship 
of  that  romarkablo  man.  I  "looked  out"  for  his  faro  game,  and 
made  deals  for  him,  whenever  he  was  tired.  From  the  first 
night  on  which  he  opened  his  game,  he  had  a  full  table  of  play- 
ers, who  were  steadily  eating  up  his  bank;  night  after  night  it 
lost,  and  night  after  night  the  smiling  Major  paid  his  losses  with 
as  much  good  humor  as  if  the  money  ;\  ere  going  into  his  pockets 
mstead  of  out  of  them.  The  blind  goddess  seemed  to  have  de- 
serted him,  but  he  never  complained.  He  dealt  a  running  limit 
of  SIX  and  a  quarter,  and  twenty-five,  and  confined  his  players 
strictly  to  that  hmit.  But  Clarke,  Rathbon,  Willis  and  Giles 
were  the  only  players  who  would  venture  that  amount.  The 
players,  being  successful,  would  usually  win  enough  to  satisfy 
them  for  the  nonce,  and  leave  the  room  as  early  as  eleven 
0  clock.  If  Giles  or  myself  offered  our  condolence  to  the  Major, 
on  this  unsatisfactory  state  of  affairs,  he  would  reply,  "I'll  win 
when  my  time  comes,  and  not  before,  sir."  After  the  players  had 
left,  It  was  the  custom  of  the  Major  and  Giles  to  have  a  "set-to  " 
at  politics  over  their  glasses.  The  latter  was  a  whig  of  tho  most 
rabid  sort,  and  a  great  admirer  of  Henry  Clay.  The  Major  es- 
poused  the  cause  of  no  party  or  individual  who  had  not  received 


■  B\i^iti$sgmmmmn'tmmmgi\K 


li'^ 


m\ 


7ti 


WANUEIUNUS  OF   A   VAGABOND. 


tlio  Stamp  of  approval  from  Virginia.  Ho  dialikod  Clay  and 
Callioun  for  no  other  reason  than  that  they  were  iw  Virginians. 
To  him  bolhthoy  and  Jrckwon  were  w'coiid-rat(!  lawyers,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  ho  denouneed  as  a  "  narrow-minded  liif,'ot."  "  The 
most  dangerons  man  that  over  sat  in  the  I'rcsidential  ehair,"  ho 
said  one  cvcninj,'  to  diles,  and  "what's  more, sir,  the  damned 
party  carrying  out  his  infernal  jxiliey  will  destroy  the  country  if 
Virgniia  don't  come  to  the  rescue.'"' 
"Or  Clay,"  said  Giles,  quietly. 

"Hc'8  a  damned  humbug,  sir;  ns  great  a  humbug  as  was  ever 
foisted  on  the  country.  Virginia,  sir,  is  the  main  prop  and  stay 
of  the  land." 

"Virginia  Iw  damned!  What  can  it  do?"  demanded  Giles, 
contemptuously,  nettled  at  this  unwarrantable  attack  on  his  fa- 
vorite hero. 

"  Virginia !  Virginia  do ! "  exclaimed  tho  Major,  rising  from  his 
seat,  astounded  at  this  audacious  remark ;  "Virginia  is  the  Uni- 
ted States,  sir!  let  Virginia  once  raise  her  voice,  sir,  and  Clay, 
Calhoun,  Jackson,  and  the  infernal  politicians  who  support 
them,  will  be  scattered  to  tho  devil,  sir." 

This  forcible  argument  knocked  Giles  completely  out  of  time. 
'Twas  too  deep  for  him.  His  ideas  on  polities'  might  bo  de- 
PTibed  as  rather  limited.  Ho  know  there  must  be  two  parties, 
one  good  and  tho  other  bad,  and  that  it  was  tho  cardinal  duty 
of  every  partisan  to  praise  his  party  and  damn  tho  opposing  one. 
The  Major  had  lost  steadily  every  night  for  two  weeks.  Clark 
had  won  irom  his  bank,  at  the  various  sittings,  sums  varying 
from  $50  to  $100,  and  had  never  made  a  losing.  Giles  had 
won  about  three  hundred,  and  all  tho  players  had  beaten  it  out 
of  various  small  amounts,  nightly.  One  evening,  after  the  play- 
ers had  gone,  and  Giles  had  also  departed,  tho  Major  and  myself 
sat  alone  in  the  tailor-shop,  tho  Major  at  one  of  tho  tables,  con- 
sultinghis memorandum-book :  "Twenty-one hundred  and  sixty- 
dollars  loser!  pretty  good  losing,  that.  Jack,  at  a  limit  of  six  dol- 
lars and  a  quarter,  and  twenty-five!"  said  the  Major,  peering  at 
me  over  the  tops  of  his  spectacles. 

' '  Bad  luck.  Major ;  but  it's  a  long  lane  has  no  turning.    I  hope 
better  will  come  after  a  while,"  I  replied,  in  a  consoling  tone. 
"  Not  hero  at  least,"  he  answered,  calmly. 
«'  Why  not  here,  Major?" 


ir 
d^ 


d< 
w 
tl 
at 
re 
m 
ai 
op 

W( 

yo 

no 
m( 
do 

yo 

to 


we 

de 
hoi 
wil 
ag( 

air 
wa 
hei 

mo 

the 
up 


lislikod  Clay  nnd 
;ie  luii  Virginians. 
0  iiiwycra,  tlio  lat- 
Icdl.iKot."  "Tho 
idential  chair,"  ho 
!,  sir,  tho  damned 
troy  tho  country  if 


iinbuR  as  was  ever 
lain  prop  and  stay 

'  domandcd  Giles, 
attack  on  his  fa- 

jor,  risinpf  from  his 
irpiniii  is  the  Uni- 
licc,  sir,  and  Clay, 
iaus  who  support 

(letely  out  of  time, 
tics'  might  bo  de- 
ust  bo  two  parties, 

tho  cardinal  duty 
n  tho  opposing  one. 
two  weeks.  Clark 
ings,  sums  varying 
losing.  Giles  had 
5  had  beaten  it  out 
ing,  after  the  play- 
10  Major  and  myself 

of  tho  tables,  con- 
I  hundred  and  sixty- 
it  a  limit  of  six  dol- 
10  Major,  peering  at 

no  turning.  I  hope 
1  consoling  tone. 


DEPARTURE.  If 

"  Bccansn  I  shall  Icnvo  this  place  on  tho  first  boat  for  Whoel- 
ing." 

"Indeed!  I'm  sorry  to  hear  you  say  that,  Major.  But  why 
do  you  go  f  " 
"  Hfcauso  I've  no  more  money  to  bank  my  game  with,  Jack." 
"  Well,  Alajor,  if  that's  what's  tlio  mutter,  don't  go,"  said  I, 
springing  to  my  feet;  "I've  got  a  tiiousand  doihirs,  and  will 
deal  it  otr  between  us."  Ue  had  closed  his  iiccouiit  book,  and 
was  In  tho  act  of  putting  it  in  his  breast  pocket,  when  I  niaJo 
this  proposition.  He  stopped  as  if  suddenly  petrified,  and  stared 
at  mo  in  speechless  amazement.  Without  giving  him  time  to 
recover  from  his  astonishment,  I  told  him  that  I  had  a  sum  of 
money,  which  I  had  won  at  various  times  at  cards,  that  I  was 
anxious  to  make  more  with  it,  and  that  I  believed  a  bettor 
opportunity  than  tho  present  could  not  be  found  to  invest  it.  "  If 
we  lose  tho  money,  M{\jor,"  I  concluded,  "  I'll  wait  on  yor,  until 
you're  able  to  pay  mo  back  your  share  of  It,  and  you  need  have 
no  delicacy,  on  tho  score  of  my  age,  about  being  interested  with 
me,  because  I  understand  i)erfectly  what  I  am  about,  and  I 
don't  w  ish  it  to  be  known  that  I  am  in  any  way  connected  with 
you." 

"  But  what  about  Giles  ? "  tho  Major  finally  found  his  tongue 
to  ask. 

"I'm  my  own  master,  Major.  Giles  knows  nothing  about  my 
affairs  whatever,  and,  what's  more,  I  do  not  wish  to  have  him." 

"Jack,  you're  a  generous  fellow;  and  I'm  glad  to  find  you  so 
well  fixed,  my  boy !  but  takes  my  advice,  let  gambling  go  to  the 
devil.  Remember,  my  boy,  a  gambler  can  never  attain  an 
honorable  position  in  society.  The  money  which  you  have  saved 
will  start  you  in  some  honorable  business,  and,  if  properly  man- 
aged, may  bo  the  foundation  of  a  fortune." 

"Very  good  advice,  sir,  but  quite  thrown  away  on  me.  I'vo 
already  made  my  election.  When  I  made  this  ofi'er  to  you,  it 
was  because  it  was  for  my  interest  to  do  so.  There's  money 
here,  plenty  of  it,  and  I  believe  that  faro  can  win  it." 

"  That's  true,  my  boy.  But,  Jack,  I  can't  think  of  losing  your 
money!  That  would  bo  a  cursed  shame— a  boy  like  you!" 

"If  you  should,  I  should  not  cry  about  it,  and  should  we  lose 
the  first  thousand,  I've  got  another  back  of  that,  and  I'll  come 
up  with  it.     Should  both  be  lost,  I  shan't  complain,  and  I  don't 


mm 


tHI 


78 


WANDEKliJOS  OF  A  VAOADOSD. 


wnnt  any  ono  to  suspect  that  I  furniHli  any  part  of  the  money. 
You  mcil  have  no  srniplos  at  all  about  tlio  Inisinoss,  Major." 

"Very  \vi'll,.Jack;  I  accept  your  ollrr,  on  your  own  terms;  and 
If  wo  should  1)1!  unfortunato,  whatever  my  part  of  the  losa  may 
bo,  I'll  pay  it  to  you  within  a  uioiith  aftcrwardH." 

Tho  followinK  day  I  went  to  the  Major's  room  at  the  "Old 
Hickory,"  and  handvd  to  him  a  thousai\d  dollars.    Whether  his 
bad  luck  had  run  out,  or  my  good  fortune  carried  him  with  mo, 
is  a  mystery  unexplained,  and  by  mo  uno.\plainablo ;  but  cer- 
tain it  is  that  after  I  had  banked  tho  Major,  ho  d.wed  his  bank 
winner  every  night  while  ho  remained  in  tho  town.    When  tho 
players  began  losing,  tho  game  extended  much  fartuer  into  the 
Dight  than  formerly,  and  .sometimes  did  not  close  until  daylight. 
Wo  did  not  make  a  losing  for  ten  nights,  and  in  that  time  tho 
bank  won  about  $3,100.     Our  customers  were  now  playing  on 
tho  raw  material,  as  whatever  money  thoy  had  won  from  tho 
Major's  game  they  had  already  lost  at  ours,  with  considerable 
more  besides;   inconsequence  of  which,  several  began  to  sliow 
signs  of  ill  temper.   Clarke  particularly  had,  on  several  occasions, 
made  himself  disagreeable  at  tho  game.    Ho  had  lost  all  his 
former  winnings,  and  about  $700  mo.e.    On  tho  tenth  night 
aaer  that  on  which  tho  Major  and  myself  haa  entered  into  our 
copartnership,  when  Clarke  entered  the  room,  I  immediately 
observed  he  had  been  drinking,  and  apprehended  wo  should 
have  trouble  with  him.    W^o  had  a  full  table  of  players,  and  the 
Major  was  winning  every  bet  laid  down  against  him.    Clarko 
joined  in  the  play,  and  lost  $200,  and  then  demanded  of  the 
Major  $100  worth  of  checks,  saying  if  ho  lost  ho  would  go  over 
to  the  store  and  get  tho  money.     Tho  Major  told  him  politely 
that  he  made  it  his  rule  to  credit  no  person  for  checks. 

"I  couldn't  expect  anything  better  from  a  low-flung  blackleg 
running  about  the  country  swindling  people  out  of  their  money," 
roared  Clarke,  rising;  and  seizing  tho  chair  on  which  he  had  been 
Bitting,  ho  dashed  it  with  all  his  force  against  tho  wall,  and  then 
rushed  out  of  the  room.  The  Major  wished  to  close  tho  game, 
being  apprehensive  that  ho  would  return  and  display  some  more 
of  his  rudeness;  but  Giles  and  tho  rest  of  tho  players  msisted 
that  he  should  go  on,  promising  that  neither  Clarko  nor  any  ono 
else  should  molest  him  further.  With  this  assurance,  tho  game 
was  continued.    Clarko  was  not  absent  from  the  room  more  than 


!(»' 


part  of  tho  money, 
sinoss,  Mnjiir." 
ur  own  tcniiH;  and 
lit  of  tho  losa  may 
Is." 

room  at  tho  "Old 
laiH.     Whptlior  hi« 
iried  him  with  mo, 
iliunaV)lo  ;  but  ccr- 
ho  cloned  his  bank 
)  tow?i.    Whou  tho 
ich  fartucr  Into  tho 
;loso  until  daylight, 
id  in  that  time  tho 
ero  now  playing  on 
had  won  from  tho 
,  with  considerable 
3ral  began  to  show 
m  several  occasions, 
Bo  had  lost  all  his 
On  the  tenth  night 
lacl  entered  into  our 
)om,  I  immediately 
ehended  wo  should 
of  players,  and  tho 
gainst  him.    Clarko 
n  demanded  of  the 
st  ho  would  go  over 
or  told  him  politely 
on  for  checks. 
X  low-flung  blackleg 
out  of  their  money," 
)n  which  ho  had  been 
3t  tho  wall,  and  then 
i  to  close  the  game, 
id  display  some  more 
tho  players  insisted 
r  Clarko  nor  any  one 
assurance,  the  game 
I  the  room  more  than 


SErAIlIUUB. 


7!) 


half  an  hour,  when  ho  returned,  and  flourishing  in  h!s  hand  a 
larf,'o  roll  of  bank  bills,  id,  "  Clarke's  credit  ain't  good  for  a  hn.i- 
drod,  ohf  Ho  can  buy  you,  Mr.  Jonks,  an<l  all  tlio  dirty 
blacklegs  like  you  this  side  of  h— 1,  can't  1,  Uotcli,  old  boy  i  "  ho 
asked  of  a  burly  butcher,  r.ivmeil  llotdikins,  who  was  prcs(!nt. 
Hero  Giles  and  .su\eral  (»thers  rcmoiirttrated  with  Clarke,  telling 
him  that  if  ho  i)ersi.Hted  in  conducting  himself  iu  this  lioistcrous 
manner  it  would  lead  to  tho  arrest  of  every  person  in  the  house. 

"It's  all  right,  boys,"  he  replied;  "I  ain't  another  word  to 
say ;  but  I'm  going  to  bust  this  d— d  picayui.  faro-liank  ;"  and, 
drawing  a  chair  to  tho  table,  pulled  from  his  roll  of  bills  a  S-TO 
note,  which  ho  threw  over  to  tho  AIaj(jr  and  demanded  chocks 
for.  llo  soon  lost  these  and  bought  S.W  more,  with  which  ho 
commenced  crowding  the  Major's  limit — a  piece  of  aggression 
which  that  gentleman  would  by  no  means  tolerate.  Tho  amount 
of  chocks  beyond  tlio  limit  ho  would  remove  from  Clarke's  bets 
and  politely  hand  them  back  to  him.  The  latter  would  take  them 
without  a  word,  but  the  moment  tho  Major's  eyes  were  off  him, 
down  would  go  tlie  checks  again  on  tho  same  card.  Tho  Miijor 
kept  winning  every  bet  ho  laid  down,  and  in  tho  meanwhile  re- 
monstrating and  handing  him  his  surplus  checks  with  the  remark, 
"  Six  dollars  and  twenty  is  tho  limit  of  the  giune,  Mr.  Clarko.  I 
beg  you  wont  crowd  it."  In  this  manner  he  played  along  at  the 
game,  holding  a  restraint  on  his  tongue  imtil  ho  had  lost  $400 
from  his  roll  of  bank  notes.  He  now  began  growling  and  curs- 
ing at  his  luck,  and  finally  commenced  venting  his  spleen  again 
upon  tho  Major.  "  Two  thousand  dollar  loser  against  this  d— d 
picayune  bank,  and  they  won't  take  a  check  over  tho  limit. 

Blooded  Virginians!       Big   gamblers!      I'd   hato  d d  bad 

to  meet  one  of  'em  in  an  alley  on  a  dark  night."  These,  and 
similar  insults,  excited  tlio  Major  to  such  a  pitch  that  ho  did  not 
know  what  he  was  doing,  and,  had  I  not  prevented  him,  would 
have  paid  all  tho  stand-off  bets  on  tho  lay-out,  and  overlooked 
those  which  ho  had  won.  I  requested  him  to  get  up  and  let  mo 
deal;  ho  consented,  and  asked  Giles  to  "look  out,"  saying,  "I 
want  to  go  over  to  tho  tavern  a  minute."  The  moment  I  seated 
myself  in  the  dealing-'hair,  Clarke  roared  out,  "  What  the  h— 1 
are  you  doing  there  r' 

"I'm  going  to  give  yn  some  better  luck,  Mr.  Clarko,"  I  re- 
plied, good-humoredly. 


'  i 


AVAXUEIUNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

He  glared  at  me  for  a  moment,  seemingly  in  doubt  whether 
he  should  drag  mo  from  the  chair  or  not,  but  fina'ly,  if  such  was 
his  idea,  abandoned  it,  and,  without  making  mo.  any  rejomder, 
placed  six  dollars  and  a  quarter  l)chind  the  queen.     It  lost  on 
the  turn     He  again  placed  the  same  amount  iu  the  same  place. 
It  won  twice  and  then  lost  on  the  turn.     With  a  terrible  oath, 
he  seized  a  stack  of  checks  lying  before  him,  of  $25  value,  and 
threw  them  down  in  the  same  place.    I  won  them  m  a  few  turns. 
He  then  took  from  his  roll  a  $50  bill  and  placed  it  on  the  sanie 
spot,  for  which  I  turned  and  won.      He  now  laid  $50  more  ui 
the  same  place,  and  won.    Ho  let  the  $100  remain  andlost.  The 
stillness  was  painful.    Not  a  word  was  spoken  in  the  room,  and 
the  sound  of  the  cards,  as  they  glided  from  the  dealing-box  was 
distinctly  audible.    \  had  made  up  my  mind  to  let  hun  break 
himself  'if  he  could,  and  I  had  a  strong  conviction  that  such 
would  be  the  case,  because,  on  an  average, such  was  his  luck;  he 
could  not  win  one  bet  out  of  Ave.     He  now  bet  $100  on  the  same 
spot  and  lost,  and  made  three  more  bets  of  the  same  aniount,  on 
the  same  spot,  and  lost,  making  him  loser  on  the  deal  $o73.M. 
While  shuffling,  preparatory  to  a  fresh  deal,  a  pm  could  have 
been  heard  distinctly  had  it  been  dropped  on  the  floor,  although 
there  were  as  many  as  twenty  persons  in  the  room  at  the  time. 
Such  unusually  heavy  -^lay  tied  the  tongues  of  all  present.  Many 
of  those  in  the  room,  no  doubt,  anticipated  a  row  if  Clarke  lost 
all  his  money,  as  he  seemed  likely  to  do.    I  was  perfectly  cool, 
and  felt  as  if  I  could  win  every  dollar  hazarded  against  me. 

When  I  had  placed  the  cards  in  the  dealing-box,  Clarke  bet 
$150  behind  the  queen.    In  this  manner  he  kept  on  betting  be- 
hind the  queen,  and  whenever  he  won  his  bet  would  go  the 
paroli,  but  failed  to  win  one  of  them.    When  the  Major  returned 
he  was  terror-stricken  at  the  sight  of  a   bundle  of  bauk  notes 
behind  the  queen,  and  in  an  excited  manner   asked  me  what 
the  amount  was.      "  Three  hundred  dollars,  sir,"    I  replied. 
A  few  turns  before  Clarke  had  won  $150  and  had  let  it  remain 
with  its  product  in  the  same  place  where  he  first  laid  it  domi. 
"  Why,  good  God,  Jack,  what  can  you  mean?"  he  demanded. 
"Nothing,   :Ma.jor.    It's  all  right,"  I  replied,   turning  away 
without  noticing  him  further. 
I  won  the  bet ! 
Clarke  now  threw  down  the  balance  of  his  roll  iu  a  lump.    1 


IXD. 

f  in  doubt  whether 
It  rina'ly,ifsuchwa3 
;  m&  auy  rejoiiulcr, 
queen.     It  lost  on 
t  iu  the  same  place, 
ith  a  terrible  oath, 
1,  of  $25  value,  and 
1  them  in  a  few  turns, 
aced  it  on  the  same 
w  laid  $50  more  in 
remain  and  lost.  The 
;en  in  the  room,  and 
the  dealing-box,  was 
id  to  let  him  break 
-onviction  that  such 
iuch  was  his  luck;  he 
bet  $100  on  the  same 
the  same  amount,  on 
on  the  deal  $573.50. 
sal,  a  pin  could  have 
nn  the  floor,  although 
lie  room  at  the  time. 
I  of  all  present.  Many 
a  row  if  Clarke  lost 
I  was  perfectly  cool, 
rded  against  rae. 
aling-box,  Clarke  bet 
le  kept  on  betting  be- 
liis  bet  would  go  the 
en  the  Major  returned 
bundle  of  bank  notes 
.nner   asked  me  what 
•liars,  sir,"    I  replied. 
,nd  had  let  it  remain 
le  first  laid  it  dovNTi. 


mean  ?  " 
replied, 


he  demanded, 
turning  away 


his  roll  in  a  lump 


DEPARICRE. 


81 


did  not  stop  to  inquire  the  amount,  but  in  a  few  turns  won,  and 
found  it  made  Clariie  a  loser  that  night  to  the  tune  of  $2,100. 

When  he  saw  his  last  stake  vanish  from  his  grasp,  ho  said  not 
a  word,  but  leaned  back  in  liis  chair  and  gazed  vacantly  down 
on  the  lay-out,  as  if  he  could  not  realize  his  situation.  The 
remainder  of  the  players  handed  in  their  checks  and  got  the 
money  for  them,  and  not  a  few  immediately  left  the  premises, 
fearful,  no  doubt,  that  a  row  would  take  place. 

Clarke  rallied  himself  at  length,  and  demanded  a  drink  of 
liquor,  which,  being  given  him  by  Giles,  he  swallowed  it  hastily ; 
then  rose  from  his  chair,  and  pointing  his  finger  towards  Major 
Jenks,  addressed  that  gentleman  in  these  words : 

"I  want  all  my  money  back;  and  d n  mo  if  I  don't  have 

it,  too." 

"  For  what  reason,  sir?  "  demanded  the  Major. 

"  Because  I've  been  swindled  out  of  it ;  ain't  that  reason 
enough  1 "  ho  shouted,  savagely  striking  the  table  with  his  fist. 

"It's  false,  sir.  You've  not  been  swindled  out  of  anything 
here,"  warmly  replied  the  Majoj,  reddening  to  the  roots  of  his 
hair. 

"  You  can't  fool  me,  old  man,"  retorted  Clarice,  shaking  his 
fist  in  the  Major's  face.  "  You've  refused  over  and  over  again  to 
let  me  bet  a  cent  over  your  limit !    Ain't  that  so  ?  " 

"Certainly,  sir;  but  what  has  that  to  do  with  your  being 
swindled  out  of  your  money  ?  "  sternly  demanded  the  Major. 

"It's  got  a  heap  to  do  with  it." 

"Explain  yourself,  sir." 

"Why  the  h — 1  did  you  get  out  of  that  chair  when  I  was  play- 
ing, and  let  that  d — d  cub  sit  there  and  turn  for  two  and  three 
hundred  dollars,  if  you  didn't  knoio  ho  was  robbing  me?"  ho 
fiercely  asked. 

"  Because  he  wanted  to  show  you,  Mr.  Clarke,"  said  I,  slowly 
shaking  my  head  at  him,  "that  this  was  no  low-flung  picayune 
game." 

"You  dirty  puppy!"  he  cried,  turning  on  me  fiercely,  "if  you 
open  your  mouth  again  until  you're  spoken  to  I'll  smash  it  in  for 
you!" 

"Oh,  don't,  Mr.  Clarke,"  I  said,  laughing  in  his  face;  "that 
would  spoil  my  pretty  looks." 

"Would  it  ?  damn  you  !"  he  screamed,  reaching  across  the  table 
and  catching  me  by  my  hair. 


t'iS; 


ill 


4 


I  '  t 


g2  WAIfDEmKGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

I  had  the  dealing-box  in  ray  hand,  and  his  fingers  had  scarcely 
f  Jtencd  ?heLe ivfs  in  my  hair,  before  I  dealt  hi.n  a  heavy  blow 
with  the  sharp  corner  of  the  box,  which  brought  his  hej<i  to  tlY' 
Table     I  followed  this  up  with  a  rain  of  heavy  blows  on  the  head, 
aSl  was  on  y  stopped  when  I  was  dragged  away  from  my  pros- 
Se  foe  by  GileV^nd  others.    So  sudden  had  been  the  attack 
anTthe  repulse,  t.at,  before  the  bystanders  could  interfere, 
Sarke  w^stretchea  a  -^eless  mass  on  the  table  before    hem. 
When  tShad  washed  .1    blood  from  his  head,  and  restored  him 
to  some  degree  of  consciousness,  Giles  and  Kathbon,  with  the 
iLtance  ofsome  others,  led  him  over  to  his  store  ai^  in  a  few 
moments  after  the  row  the  Major  and  I  were  Iclt  in  tae  sole  pos 

'''.-S'if  ^/bad'business!"  said  the  Major,  looking  pale  and 

"°S  not  in  the  least  sorry  about  it,"  I  replied;  "  he  deserved 

•""SruuX^"  but  they'll  arrest  us,  and  I  shall  be  prosecuted 

^^'Smrue,  Major,  and  you  must  not  wait  for  them  to  do  so 
I'll  get  Tom  Jones  to  take  you  down  to  Cropps'  landing  to-night 
mWs  fishing-boat,  and  you  can  wait  there  in  safety  untd  you  can 
get  aboard  of  a  steamer  going  down  the  river. 
^  This  course  being  agreed  upon,  we  commence^  P^^  vit?  nnd 
faro  tools,  when  in  rushed  Giles,  frightened  out  of  his  wits,  and 
ootog  more  like  a  ghost  than  his  flesh  and  blood  and  who  cned 
out^Jack,  you've  killed  Clarke;  he  won;t  five  ti  1  morning  '' 
''Good  God !"  shrieked  the  Major,  "is  it  so  bad  as  that? ' 
Thiunexpectednews  staggered  me.    T»ie  thought  tMt  I  might 
have  injured  Clarke  seriously  never  crossed  my  mind.   But  young 
as  I  was  I  had  more  presence  of  mind  than  Giles  or  be  Maj-  ^^ 
this  emergency.    "  We  must  leave  here  without  a  moment  s  delay 
I  So  fhe  Major.    I  informed  Giles  of  my  P^-T^^-^-^'^^J 
of  having  the  Major  taken  to  Cropps'  landmg,  f  ^^^j^^   «"\^  ^^^ 
for  a  boat  to  take  him  down  the  river;  but  told  him  I  now 
"tended  to  be  the  companion  of  his  flight,  fnd  I  asked  hm  J 
.ssist  the  Major  in  getting  his  things  down  to  Tom  Jones  Ash 
ing  place,  while  I  preceded  him  there,  to  make  arrangements  for 

""''Syou'll  go  to  the  house.  Jack,  and  see  the  old  woman,  and 
get  your  clothes,  won't  youf  asked  Giles. 


)ND. 

flnsers  had  scarcely 
It  him  a  heavy  blow 
ight  his  head  to  the    ■ 
•y  blows  ou  the  head, 
away  from  my  pros- 
had  been  the  attack 
lers  could  interfere, 
)  table  before  them. 
!ad,  aud  restored  him 
1  Kathbon,  with  the 
lis  store,  and  in  a  few 
•e  left  in  the  sole  pos- 

jor,  looking  pale  aud 

:cplied;  "ho  deserved 

L I  shall  be  prosecuted 

rait  for  them  to  do  so. 
opps'  landing  to-night 
iusafetyuntilyoucan 

ver." 

Qencud  packing  up  the 
id  out  of  his  wits,  and 
d  blood,  and  who  cried 
t  live  till  morning!" 
it  so  bad  as  that?" 
lie  thought  that  I  might 
I  my  mind.   But,  young 
n  Giles  or  the  Major,  in 
liout  a  moment's  delay," 
my  previous  intention 
ing,  where  he  could  wait 
;  but  told  him  I  now 
;ht,  and  I  asked  him  to 
wn  to  Tom  Jones'  fish- 
make  arrangements  for 


see  the  old  woman. 

■s. 


and 


DEPARTURE. 


83 


"No,  the  clothes  would ouly  burdcu  me,  aud  be  useless  besides 
now,  and  I  shall  be  spared  the  pain  of  breaking  the  terrible  news 
to  Mrs.  Giles;  besides,  wo  have  not  one  moment  to  lose;  so  hurry 
down  to  the  river." 

When  I  reached  the  landing,  to  my  great  joy  a  stern- wheel 
steamer  was  just  turning  the  ben'l  of  the  river — a  sight  which 
entirely  altered  my  plans  for  flight.  I  resolved  to  take  passage  on 
her,  and  if  she  made  Wheeling  by  the  next  evening,  as  she  ought 
to  do,  to  stick  by  her  until  she  reached  that  place,  and  if  she  got 
stuck  on  a  sand-bar  to  abandon  her  and  take  to  the  country, 
where  I  should  seek  an  asylum  until  I  heard  from  Giles. 

I  met  him  and  the  Major  coming  down  with  the  luggage. 
They  were  both  overjoyed  at  the  sight  of  the  steamer,  and  ap- 
proved of  my  plan. 

We  got  aboard  of  the  boat  as  soon  as.  she  landed.  "Write  to 
mo  at  Wheeling,  care  of  Mr.  Lane,  No.  147  Main  street,"  said 
the  Major  to  Giles,  as  we  stood  together  on  the  boiler  deck  of  the 
steamer.  "Direct  your  letter  to  Joshua  Watkins,  instead  of 
Major  George  Jenks.    Can  you  remember  that,  Mr.  Giles?" 

"Certainly  lean  ;  but  why  not  direct  the  letter  to  you?" 

"  Damn  it,  sir,  do  you  want  to  direct  a  letter  to  Major  George 
Jenks,  and  set  the  shoriflF  on  our  tracks  ?" 

"Oh!  I  see,"  cried  Giles.  "But  in  case  I  write  you  that 
Clarke's  dying,  what  then  V 

"Then  rest  assured  that  Jack  and  myself  will  get  into  the 
mountains  of  Virginia  fti.iter  tlian  deers,  and  when  once  there 
we're  safe,  in  spite  of  all  the  sheriifs  in  your  d — d  abolition  State. 
Giles  promised  to  write  to  us  every  mail,  and,  after  shaking  the 
Major  warmly  by  the  hand,  aud  bidding  him  watch  over  me,  he 
turned  to  me  and  said,  "Jack,  if  anything  bad  happens  to  you, 
it  will  kill  the  old  woman !" 

"  You  need  not  tell  her  of  this  scrape,"  I  cried,  eagerly;  "make 
up  any  other  story  and  tell  her  about  my  leaving." 

"  Wijy,you  fool !  Jack,  don't  you  know  that  every  tale -bearing 
b — h  in  the  town  will  be  carrying  the  news  to  her  before  the  dew 
is  off  the  ground  ?" 

"Get  ashore!"  sung  out  the  mate,  aud  at  the  same  moment 
the  stroke  of  the  bell  told  us  we  were  getting  under  way. 

Giles  wrung  me  by  the  hand,  and  jumped  ashore  just  as  the 
clock  on  the  court-house  chimed  eleven.  In  a  few  moments 
more  we  were  out  of  sight  of  Marietta. 


te, 


■t  t 


I 


84  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER      X. 

PHANTOMS  OF  THE   MEMORY. 

Shortly  after  the  steamer  left  Marietta  I  turned  iuto  my  berth 
aud  slept  for  about  two  hours.    In  the  ineautime  I  had  a  horri- 
ble dream,  from  which  I  awoke  in  a  fright,  aud  which  impressed 
me  so  vividly  that  to  this  day  I  distinctly  remember  it.    In  my 
dream  I  was  riding  on  horseback  over  a  turnpike  re  .d,  which 
ran  alongside  a  beautiful  stream  of  water.    As  I  looked  at  Ujo 
stream  I  suddenly  became  aware  of  an  enormous  tortoise  swim- 
ming along,  following  the  direction  of  the  road.     As  I  looked 
again  I  perceived  that  the  tortoise  had  a  man's  head,  and,  as  it 
turned  its  face  in  the  direction  of  mine,  horror  of  horrors !  I 
discovered  the  ghastly,  blood-stained  countenance  of  Clarke     i 
closed  my  eyes  against  the  frightful  vision  and  turned  my  i   -^.d 
from  the  stream  to  the  other  side  of  the  road,  but  when  I  once 
more  opened  my  eyes  and  looked  down,  there,  alongisido  my  horse, 
was  the  tortoise,  with  the  threatening  eyes  of  Clarke  lo.>!nng  at 
me  from  its  face.    I  plunged  my  spurs  into  my  horse's  lianks, 
and  on  wo  flew  with  tho  speed  of  the  wind,  but  not  sg  iwiillj 
but  whenever  I  turned  my  eyes  to  either  side  of  my  hr^rw  they 
were  met  by  those  in  the  ghastly  face  of  Clarke    pou  tit  i.'fdy  of 
the  tortoise.    "Whether  in  the  stream  or  upon  tb.  ruad,  it  .-howed 
no  signs  of  locomotion,  yet  th--  utmost  speed  of  my  gor-d  horse 
was  insufficient  to  ^arry  vm      vond  it.    In  an  agony  of  terror  I 
awoke.    It  was  some  ir  .;,TiCuti'  'lefore  I  could  remember  where  I 
was,  but  sc  1  tho  disa^i  .'(iua  >^^\    ■  s  of  the  evening  returned  up- 
on my  memory  in  their  f .;!  xoice.     The  Major  was  snoring  with 
a  forty-horse  power  m  the  berth  beneath  me,  and,  without  dis- 
turbing him,  I  left  my  own,  and  sought  the  boiler-deck  of  the 
steamer,  where  I  remained  tho  rest  of  the  night. 

My  dream  had  left  such  a  fearful  impression  upon  my  mind, 
that  I  felt  certain  that  Clarke  was  dead ;  and  I  began  to  feel 
anxious  about  my  own  safety.  Fear  had  clutched  me  with  its 
icy  fingers,  and  f  could  not  shake  it  off.  My  mind,  during  that 
long  night,  would  admit  no  subject  but  the  murdered  Clarke. 
It  pictured  to  me  every  possible  phase  of  the  subject— the  news 
spread  through  the  Uttle  town ;  the  people  talking  of  it  in  little 


k 

a 
tl 
h 
si 
ai 
ai 

C( 

m 
si 
to 

J" 
T 
m 
w! 

t; 

tr 
ar 
th 

ch 
an 
ric 
er, 
thi 
soi 
fer 


PHANTOMS  OF  THE  MEMOET. 


85 


led  iuto  my  berth 
Qe  I  had  a  horri- 
.  which  impressed 
amber  it.    la  my 
ipilte  re  -d,  which 
.3  I  looked  at  Um 
^us  tortoise  swim- 
ad.     As  I  looked 
s  head,  and,  as  it 
ror  of  horrors!  I 
mce  of  Clarke     I 
.  turned  my  i   •^il 
,  but  when  1  onoo 
longisido  my  horse, 
Clarke  iooking  at 
Qy  horse's  tlanks, 
)ut  net  SG  iwifdy 
of  my  borsi-  thoy 
e  "ipon  tLt  !.'>dy  of 
b-  read,  it  showed 
of  mygor-d  horse 
L  agony  of  terror  I 
remember  where  I 
ning  returned  up- 
:  was  snoring  Avith 

and,  without  dis- 
boiler-deck  of  the 
ht. 

)n  upon  my  mind, 
id  I  began  to  feel 
itched  me  with  its 

mind,  during  that 

murdered  Clarke. 

subject — the  news 
Iking  of  it  in  little 


knots  at  the  street-corners ;  the  coroner's  inquest  and  those 
who  would  bo  there ;  the  verdict  of  the  coroner's  jury  ;  the  offi- 
cers in  pursuit  of  me— every  incident  connected  with  my  capture 
and  being  brought  back  to  Marietta  and  incarcerated  in  the  lit- 
tle stone  jail.  Then  the  trial  in  the  crowded  court-room  witn 
hundreds  of  familiar  faces  staring  at  me.  My  imagination 
showed  me  every  moment  of  the  trial— the  judge,  the  lawyers, 
and  old  Scruggs  giving  me  "  blazes  "  in  the  cracked  and  discord- 
ant voice  I  remembered  to  have  heard  so  many  times,  trying  to 
convince  the  jury  that  the  oiTender  before  him  was  the  greatest 
miscreant  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  whom  it  would  be  a  burning 
shame  and  disgrace  to  all  good  men  and  true  to  allow  any  longer 
to  cumber  the  earth.  Then  would  come  the  awful  sentence  of  the 
judge,  "hanged  by  the  neck  until  you  are  dead,  dead,  dead!" 
Then  the  last  dread  scene,  disclosing  the  gallows,  the  swaying 
multitude,  the  sea  of  up-turned  faces,  and  myself  in  the  place 
where  I  saw  them  put  old  man  Langston  for  murdering  his  wife. 
Then  would  rush  over  me,  like  a  great  wave,  the  grief  and  dis- 
tress of  my  poor  foster-mother,  that  her  boy  should  come  to  such 
an  end.  I  would  start  from  my  seat  at  these  thoughts  and  pace 
the  deck  in  an  agony. 

I  tried  to  shake  off  these  gloomy  impressions  and  take  a  more 
cheerful  view  of  things,  but  it  was  useless :  fhey  returned  agam 
and  again.  The  thought  struck  mc  that  the  authorities  might 
ride  to  Whcehng  and  arrest  me  there  on  the  arrival  of  i  he  steam- 
er, and,  had  she  landed  during  the  night,  I  amQrmly  convinced 
that  I  should  have  taken  "French  leave"  of  the"  Major, and 
sought  the  woods  for  safety.  "  'Tis  the  eye  of  childhood  that 
fears  a  painted  devil." 

In  the  gallery  of  the  Louvre  there  is  a  picture,  by  Prudhon, 
representing  a  saudy  defile  bristling  with  rocks,  and  lighted  by  the 
full  moon.  Stretched  naked  on  the  sands  is  the  corpse  of  a  young 
man,  while  his  assassin,  clad  in  a  tunic  and  mantle,  and  holding 
in  his  hand  a  poignard,  is  hurriedly  making  his  escape.  His 
dark,  brutal-looking  countenance,  with  its  low,  narrow  forehead, 
is  turned  over  his  shoulder,  as  if  attracted  to  the  spot  where  lies 
his  murdered  victim,  above  whom,  flying  in  the  air,  are  Ven- 
geance and  Justice.  The  former  holds  a  torch  in  one  hand  and 
with  the  other  is  in  the  act  of  seizing  the  murderer  by  the  hair; 
beside  her  is  Justice,  armed  with  a  sword  and  scales.     I  have 


-vmnjr  ■■ 


3'; 


'i 


;     tl- 


^.3i 


ge  -WANDEBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

often  cazed  with  admiration  on  this  mastei-piccc,  but  never  with- 
out  XLgTng  fresh  to  my  mind  the  terrible  agony  I  endured 
flnrinc  the  night  of  my  flight  from  Marietta. 

When  the  Major  joined  mo  in  the  morning,  he  was  struck  by 
my  ha  "gard  appearance,  and  used  all  his  powers  o  persuasion  to 
SuTe  me  to  believe  I  was  beyond  the  reach  of  danger     He 
took  me  with  him  on  to  the  hurricane-deck,  where  he  could  talk 
fo  me  wi  hout  being  overheard,  and  tried  his  best  to  impress  me 
SSthe  belief  thci  Clarke  was  not  seriously  injured.     "Keep 
Too?  ?.ck  mv  boyTthere's  not  a  bit  of  danger,  not  the  least,  sir. 
AniSfvou'Sed  the  scoundrel  on  the  spot  you  would  only 
^v'e Sd  him  right,  damn  him.     The  ^^- ^^'^fj^^^^ 
hair  of  vour  head,  sir.    Damn  it,  what  right  had  ho  to  violate 
S  person  of  a  gentleman,  sirf '    At  every  "-;•-"/«;- ^J*^^^ 
come  the  Major's  cane,  with  a  thump  on  the  roof  of  the  boat,  as 
He  intended  by  that  means  to  establish  his  opinion  more 
ionglf to  my  inind.     But  he  didnot  succeed  in  dissipating  my 
Jears  and  i  I  expressed  my  apprehension  of  being  captured 
at  Wheeto^  on  the  arrival  of  the  boat  at  that  place,  and  brought 
fa^to  Ma  ietta,  he  straightened  himself  up  to  his  full  height 
andscorllly  gazed  down  upon  me.     "'^^''^;^'^ 
thought  you  had  some  sp.ric,  but  ?  ou  haven't,-  si .     You  re  an 
nSa!  coward,  sir ;  that's  what  you  are,  sir      I  m  ashamed  of 
vou  sii    and  I'll  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  you.      At  ea..n 
"sil-"  down  came  the  ferule  of  the  cane,  as  if  he  was  bent    n 
™,nrhi  °  -v  hole  through  the  roof  of  the  boat.     After  tellmg  me 
TshouS  hav    nS  -ore  tu  do  with  me,  he  flung    is  ca^. 
nnder  his  arm,  turned  on  his  heel,  and  left  me  in  disgust.    I  did 
noUlame  hTm-T^.'as  disgusted  with  myself  for  being  such  a 
InrH   hnt  twos  all  the  effect  of  that  horrible  dream.     The 
Sal    tdtlaboit half  adozen  steps  away  from  me,  wh^n 
^Turned  round  and  ran  up  to  me,  caught  me  by  both  hands 
Syng  ''Never  mind  me,  my  boy,  I  didn't  mean  a  word  of  it    I 
^1^  spoke  so  to  spur  you  up,  and  make  you  shake  off  that  damn 
scare  vou've  got.    Cheer  up,  Jack,  and  be  a  man,  as  you  a[«- 
SneC  leave  you,  sir;  no,  sir,  -f^^-^^^^^^^ll^^Z 
o\  orce  Jenkfl.    And  if  that  scoundrel  dies,  I'll  take  you  witn 
^"  To  tlf mountains  of  Virginia,  where  you'll  li^  ^  ^fe  apnn- 
Bir     nd  all  the  constables  in  Ohio  can't  take  you  out  of  it,  sir. 

'^'^rScS^SL  about  his  handsome  and  well- 


D. 

;c,  but  never  with- 
agony  I  endured 

lie  was  struck  by 
rs  of  persuasion  to 
lb  of  danger.     He 
bere  be  could  talk 
best  to  impress  me 
T  injured.     "Keep 
',  not  tbe  least,  sir. 
3t  you  would  only 
•  wouldn't  toucb  a 
bad  bo  to  violate 
"sir,"  down  would 
roof  of  tbe  boat,  as 
I  bis  opinion  more 
?d  in  dissipating  my 
1  of  being  captured 
;  place,  and  brought 
1  to  bis  full  beigbt, 
?hy,  damn  it,  sir,  I 
i't,sir.     You're  an 
•.     I'm  asbamed  of 
itb  you."    At  ea^^.b 
i  if  be  was  bent  en 
t.     After  telling  nie 
3,  bo  flung  bis  can? 
ue  in  disgust.    I  did 
ilf  for  being  such  a 
irrible  dream.     The 
tway  from  mc,  when 
me  by  both  bands, 
mean  a  word  of  it ;  I 
L  shake  off  that  damn 
a  man,  as  you  are. 
lile  my  name's  Major 
>s,  I'll  take  you  with 
ou'UliN  ^  like  a  prince, 
lie  you  out  of  it,  sir. 

■5  handsome  and  weU- 


PHANTOMS  OiT  THE  MEMORY. 


87 


stocked  farm,  which  ho  called  "  Tbe  Hawk's  Nost,"  lying  in  one 
of  the  valleys  along  tbe  Blue  Ridge  Mountains.  According  to  bis 
own  tale,  be  was  a  person  of  some  importance  there.  His  relatives, 
who  were  all  wealthy  farmers,  resided  there,  and  were  the  most 
influential  persons  in  the  neighborhood.  Of  course  I  believed 
eveiy  word  he  said,  and  it  gave  mo  no  little  satisfaction  to  know 
that,  in  case  of  the  worst,  I  should  find  an  asylum  in  the  mountain 
fastnesses  of  Virginia.  But  I  never  had  the  pleasure  of  beholding 
the  lordly  manor  of  "The  Hawk's  Nest,"  nor  did  I  ever  visit  the 
Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  which  the  Major  was  so  fond  of  talking 
about.  While  I  was  with  him  in  Virginia,  he  never  once  thought 
of  visiting  "The  Hawk's  Nest,"  though  be  frequently  referred  to 
it  in  conversation  with  mc,  especially  when  telling  me  of  the 
number  and  quality  of  his  racing  colts,  which  he  was  intending  to 
bring  on  the  turf  in  a  few  years.  Before  our  flight  I  had  dis- 
covered that  he  was  rather  hyperbolical,  but  I  never  believed 
him  to  be  a  Munchausenist  until  after  our  arrival  in  Richmond. 
One  day,  while  taking  a  stroll  with  one  of  his  most  intimate  friends, 
I  incidentally  mcniioned  tbe  glowing  description  the  Major  gave 
of  bis  farm  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  of  how  important  a  personage 
he  wiis  ni  ^is  neighborhood.  My  companion  shook  bis  head  and 
laughed  heartily.  "Why!"  I  exclaimc-d,  much  surprised,  "you 
don't  mean  to  say  he's  been  stuffing  me  ?  What  could  be  his  object 
in  doing  so  ?" 

"None  in  tbe  world,"  he  replied,  laughing  good-humoredly. 
"  You  can't  find  a  more  honest  man  than  the  Major,  or  one  more 
kind-hearted:  but  pomposity  is  his  weakness.  He's  told  that  story 
so  often  about  his  farm,  that  he's  really  got  to  believe  it  himself." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  say  he's  got  no  farm  f " 

"  I  don't  believe  he  owns  a  foot  of  ground  on  earth !" 

"  And  what  about  those  rich  relations  of  his?"  I  asked. 

"  Ho  has  got  two  brothers  living  on  small  patches  of  ground 
somewhere  in  tbe  Blue  Ridge;  but  they  wouldn't  have  hog  and 
hominy  enough  to  keep  tbe  bide  on  themselves  and  their  children, 
if  tbd  Major  did  not  give  them  some  assistance  now  and  then." 

'You  astonish  me,"  I  replied.  "I  knew  the  old  fellow  was 
visionary;  but  I  never  knew  before  that  he  was  such  a  confound- 
ed liar." 

"Don't  let  him  know  that  you're  any  wiser  on  these  points 
than  he  wishes  you  to  be,  or  he'll  take  tbe  sulks  and  leave  you." 

I  promised  to  obey  his  instructions,  and  we  parted. 


■(rniniMM 


rfs>^' 


=!|..,l 


»:. 


gg  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

WIIEELIXG. 

It  was  lato  in  the  ovcning  when  wo  reached  Wheeling,  and,  to 
my  great  joy,  I  was  not  pursued  and  arrested,  as  I  had  gloomily 
anticipated,  on  the  landing  of  the  steamer. 

The  Major  took  me  with  him  to  the  residence  o  h  f>  end  Mr. 
Lane,  in  whose  charge  he  left  me,  and  proceeded  to  ho  Un  ted 
States  Hotel,"  which  was  a  few  steps  from  the  landing,  and  to 
which  ho  had  ordered  his  luggage  to  be  carried. 

Mr.  Richard  Lane,  in  whose  house  I  found  an  asylum,  was  the 
only  son  of  a  highly  respectable  merchant  of  Wheelmg.  His 
moUier  dying  during  his  infancy,  young  Dick  was  brought  up 
under  the  ca?e  of  his  remaining  parent,  who  did  not  marry  aga m 
until  ho  was  eighteen  years  of  ago,  at  which  time  ho  was  sent  o 
?ho  University  of  Virginia,  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  subtle 

Intricacies  of  the  law. 

While  there,  young  Lane  paid  full  as  much  attention  to  the 
mysteries  attached  to  apack  of  cards  as  to  unraveling  he  knotty 
points  of  Coke  or  Blackstono.    Money  being  requisite  in  bo  h 
fheso  pursuits,  the  pockets  of  the  older  Lane  ^^''^ 'i""^^^  t^^.^?^' 
in  order  to  meet  the  demands  caused  by  the  profligacies  of  his 
.on.    At  first  he  paid  grudgingly;  but  when  ho  «^vr  ^'^'f  ^"  ^ho 
repeated  promises  of  reformation  made  by  h.s  son,  ho  buttoned  up 
his  pockets  and  abandoned  him  to  his  fate,    loung  La^ie  con- 
tinued to  live  along  on  his  wits,  and  ^  ^^ r'Tott  of  wS 
promises  to  pay  and  drafts  drawn  upon  his  father,  both  of  which 
wore  dishonored,  when,  for  sorao  moro  outrageous  P>eco  of  ras- 
cality than  usual,  he  was  expelled  from  his  college  and  his  father 
no  less  cruel  than  his  preceptors,  forbade  his  return  homo  aftei 
such  disgrace.    Young  Dick  made  his  way  to  R'cb°^«°f '/^^^^ 
he  divided  his  time  between  such  of  the  gambling-rooms  as  ho 
coumSL  an  entrance  to.     Hodid  hisbest  in  the  borrowing  hno 
playini  at  games  and  short  cards,  in  which  manner  about  throe 
yelvs  moije  of  his  life  passed.    About  this  time  an  old  gambler  by 
ho  name  of  Brooks,  living  in  Richmond,  took  a  ^^^^J"  f  "=^.' ^s 
made  him  a  faro-dealer.  It  was  here  that  Lane  and  M=M<  ^  Jon^^ 
became  acquainted,  both  being  concerned  m  tho  same  gamblmg- 


si 
d 

C( 

fe 

(V 

n: 
d( 
L 

si 

Pi 
R 

fa 
tl] 
Fi 
w] 
ye 
of 
ta 
de 
lal 
th^ 
of 
ha 

ga 
co] 
coi 
or 

tyi 

th( 

ac( 

sor 

sen 

boi 

ed 

tim 

tioi 

the 

pla 


0. 


■WnEELINO. 


80 


Wheeling,  and,  to 
as  I  had  gloomily 

0  of  his  friend,  Mr. 
cd  to  the  "  United 
lO  landing,  and  to 
d. 

an  asylum,  was  the 
of  Wheeling.  His 
k  -was  brought  up 
\d  not  marry  again 
imo  ho  was  sent  to 
ited  with  the  subtle 

;h  attention  to  the 
raveling  the  knotty 
g  requisite  in  both 
were  doubly  taxed, 
J  profligacies  of  his 
ho  saw  broken  the 
son,  he  buttoned  up 
Young  Lane  con- 
rrowing  on  his  own 
ither,  both  of  which 
igeous  piece  of  ras- 
llcge,  and  his  father, 
is  return  home  after 
to  Richmond,  where 
imbling-rooms  as  he 
n  the  borrowing  line, 
manner  about  three 
ae  an  old  gambler  by 
i  a  fancy  to  Dick,  and 
ane  and  Major  Jenks 
L  the  same  gambling- 


house  during  the  space  of  a  year,  and  in  which  time  they  had  re- 
alized a  clean  profit  of  twenty-two  tliousaiid  dollars.    Lane  had 
shaken  off  liis  dissipated  habits  by  this  time,  and  Iiad  paid  all  his 
debts.    A  few  years  later  his  father  died,  without  over  beinc'  re- 
eonciled  to  his  son;  but,  dying  intestate, his  only  child, of  c.urso, 
foil  heir  to  his  property.     Ho  returned  to  Wheeling  after  an 
absence  of  seven  years,  to  find,  to  his  chagrin  and  disappoint- 
ment, that  a  smgle  house  valued  at  ten  thousand  dollars,  and 
debts  amounting  to  four  thousand  dollars,  were  all  that  remained 
Lane  paid  the  debts  and  took  possession  of  the  house,  and  about 
SIX  months  later  married  his  wife,  stealing  her  away  from  her 
parents,  who  were  bitterly  opposed  to  him,  and  taking  her  to 
llichmond.    -Mrs.  Lane  was  the  offspring  of  one  of  the  first 
families  of  Wheeling-not  the  first  families  of  Virginia,  none  of 
that  rather  equivocnl  stock  having  gotten  as  far  west  as  Wheeling 
From  where  did  it  derive  its  existence?    From  those  emigrants 
who  landed  from  the  three  ships  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  lG07f  If  so,  that  party  being  composed  entirely 
of  the  male  gender,  the  weaker  vessels  necessarily  must  have  been 
taken  from  among  the  Indian  women,  which  might  have  a  ten- 
dency  to  adulterate  the  pure  Anglo-Norman  blood.    Fortv  years 
ater  wo  find  existing  in  Virginia  a  small  oligarchy  composed  of 
the  principal  landholders,  who  tried  to  rule  the  colony  by  right 
of  property  or  by  "  right  divine,"  as  all  tyrannical  bodies  of  men 
nave  ruled    from  time   immemorial.     Possibly  from  this  oli- 
garchy sprang  originally  the  F.  F.  V.'s.  But  a  good  part  of  these 
colonists  havmg  "left  their  country  for  their  country's  good  "in 
consequence  of  an  inability  to  distinguish  "mine"  from  "thine  " 
or  some  such  little  innocent  idiosyncracy,  which  the  cruel  and 
tyrannical  lawsof  Great  Britain  at  that  time  punished  by  sending 
them  out  to  Virginia,  to  be  sold  as  slaves  for  various  periods 
according  to  the  enormity  of  their  offenses,  it  is  presumable  that 
some  of  these  unfortunate  individuals,  at  the  expiration  of  their 
sentences  being  purged,  according  to  law,  of  the  stains  of  dis- 
honor and  restored  to  tho  rights  of  citizenship,  would  have  work- 
ed ou    for  themselves  a  brighter  future;  and  that,  in  course  of 
time,  their  offspring,  having  obtained  a  respectable  property  posi- 
tion m  society,  would  come  to  be  considered  worthy  consorts  for 
tne  daughtero  .i  the  wealthy  land-owners.    By  these  means  it  is 
plausible  to  suppose  that  the  "blue  blood,"  which  is  believed  to 


iMi 


tl 


90 


■WANDERINGS  OP   A    VAGABOND. 


have  formerly  coursed  throuRli  tho  veins  of  the  first  famiHea  of 
VlrRinia.has  l)cenadiiltoratO(l,si)  far, at  least, aa  to bilntr  back  its 
color  to  tlio  reddish  hue  of  that  which  runs  in  the  veins  of  ordi- 
nary mortals.  Such  being  tho  case,  it's  very  possil)le  that  not 
adroj)  of  tho  "cl'ar  grit"  can  bo  found  at  the  present  time  in  tho 
Old  Dominion. 

Tho  parents  of  Mrs  Lane  belonged  to  tho  raoneyocracy ;  and 
families  of  that  stamp,  proud,  arrogant,  and  conceited,  may  be 
found  in  every  one-horse  town  and  village,  as  well  as  every  dense- 
ly populated  city  in  the  world  ;  consequently  no  one  need  bo 
surprised  that  they  resolutely  shut  their  doors  in  her  face  for 
having  the  audacity  to  marry  a  gambler,  and  a  jroor  one  at  that ; 
a  rich  gambler  might  havo'been  tolerated,  but  to  tiirow  herself 
away  on  a  poor  one  was  impardonable. 

Lane  and  his  wife,  after  an  absence  ot  .  )out  a  year,  during 
which  time  they  had  lived  in  Richmond,  returned  to  Wheeling, 
in  the  hopes  that  her  parents  would  relent  and  take  them  un- 
der their  fostering  wing.  But  as  well  might  the  young  Alexis 
Petrowich  have  tried  to  move  the  icy  heart  of  his  father,  Peter 
tho  Great,  when  he  had  decoyed  him  from  Naples  to  Moscow,  in 
order  to  put  him  to  death.  Lane,  finding  that  his  wife's  parents 
still  continued  obdurate,  was  for  disposing  of  what  property  he 
had  there  and  returning  to  Richmo;  1 ;  but  his  wife,  who  had 
inherited  some  of  the  stubborn  nature  of  her  parents,  having 
learned  that  her  presence  in  the  place  was  an  eye-sore  to  them, 
and  they  desired  nothing  so  much  as  her  absence,  like  an  unduti- 
ful  child,  she  refused  to  budge  an  inch,  thereby  keeping  her  hus- 
band in  a  place  where  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  make  a  living 
by  the  exercise  of  his  profession.  By  renting  the  lower  part  of 
their  house  for  a  store,  it  being  situated  on  a  main  business  street, 
they  eked  out  a  kind  of  a  respectable  living. 

When  I  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Lane  he  was  about  thirty  years 
of  age,  remarkably  handsome,  both  in  face  and  figure.  He  con- 
versed with  ease  and  fluency,  was  witty  and  intelligent,  and  had 
the  manners  and  habits  of  a  gentleman,  besides  being  a  tender 
husband  and  devoted  to  his  children,  of  whom  he  had  two,  a  boy 
and  a  girl.  He  possessed  both  energy  and  ability,  and  was  ca- 
pable of  making  ftiends  wherever  he  went;  but  fashionable 
society  could  not  countenance  him,  because  ho  was  tainted  with 
tho  damned  spot  of  the  professional  gambler.    Mrs.  Lane  was  a 


sti 
ha 
Di 
m.' 
ou 
hi.^ 
aci 
wa 
wL 
ere 
] 
cci 
rie 
pn 
an 
th( 
bo' 
hoi 
pis 
th( 
we 
int 
plti 
an 
an; 
tre 
coi 
ing 
tin 
ed 
tal 
nig 
lar 
th€ 
by 
ace 
bai 
sig 
ad( 
flic 


0  first  familiea  of 

1  to bilntr back  its 
tho  veins  of  ordl- 
poasihlo  that  not 
resent  time  in  tlio 

iono5'ocracy ;  and 
onccitcd,  may  be 
ell  as  every  dense- 
no  one  need  be 
s  in  her  face  for 
poor  one  at  that ; 
to  tiirow  herself 

ut  a  year,  during 
ned  to  Wheeling, 
d  take  them  un- 
tbo  young  Alexis 

his  father,  Peter 
)les  to  Moscow,  in 

his  wife's  parents 
ivhat  property  he 
lis  wife,  who  had 
:  parents,  having 
eye-sore  to  them, 
ce,  like  an  unduti- 
j  keeping  her  hus- 
n  to  make  a  living 
the  lower  part  of 
dn  business  street, 

about  thirty  years 
I  figure.  He  con- 
telligent,  and  had 
3S  being  a  tender 
ho  had  two,  a  boy 
ility,  and  was  ca- 
;  but  fashionable 
3  was  tainted  with 
Mrs.  Lane  was  a 


WnKELINO. 


n 


strong,  healtliy  woman,  and  if  nature  had  denied  her  beauty,  it 
had  endowed  her  with  nobler  gifts— choerfulnpsa  and  intelligence. 
During  the  few  days  I  was  in  hiding  at  her  houao.  she  tried  to 
make  my  situation  as  easy  and  conifortablo  as  possible,  with- 
out once  trying  to  pry  into  tlio  circinnatances  of  the  ease,  or  my 
history— a  thing  many  pcMson'.  might  have  presumed  on  doing,  on 
account  of  my  youth.  That  I  was  tho  protege  of  Slajor  Jenks 
was  sufficient  for  herself  and  I--  'nnd;  and  1  was  confident  that 
while  under  their  roof  '  ,mg  to  fear  from  being  treach- 

erously given  up  to  tho  ...icers  of  tho  law. 

Lane's  presence  in  Wheeling  was  barely  tolerated  by  tho  offi- 
cers of  the  !;iw,who  were  of  tho  puritanical  order,  and  who  car- 
ried out  their  policy  with  tho  seeming  intention  of  making  the 
present  generation,  if  not  tho  next  one,  remember  their  intoler- 
ant spirit.  The  Maine  liquor  law  became  an  established  fact  in 
tho  place,  billiard  and  bagatelle  tables  were  prohibited,  and  also 
bowling-alleys.  Such  individuals  as  indulged  in  their  leisure 
hours  at  cock-fights,  dog-fights,  or  bull-baits,  or  any  other  dis- 
plaj  of  the  manly  art,  were  mulcted  in  heavy  fines.  Whenever 
tho  patrons  of  these  sports  desired  to  amuso  themselves  they 
were  obliged  to  seek  the  fields  of  some  adjoining  county,  or  cross 
into  the  more  liberal  State  of  Ohio.  Faro-dealers  had  given  the 
place  a  wide  berth  within  the  last  few  years,  previous  to  our 
arrival  in  tho  place,  and  well  might  they,  if  they  had  gathered 
any  wisdom  from  tho  way  in  which  the  fraternity  had  been 
treated  there.  Several  had  from  time  to  time  the  temerity  to 
come  within  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  city,  and,  after  prospect- 
ing it,  to  open  their  banks.  They  were  allowed  to  proceed  for  a 
time,  to  give  them  confidence,  when  they  were  suddenh  pounc- 
ed upon  by  the  officers  of  the  law,  and  with  all  their  players 
taken  to  the  lock-up.  The  latter  were  usually  released  the  same 
night,  or  next  morning,  on  payment  of  a  fine  of  twonty-five  dol- 
lars, besides  having  the  felicity  of  seeing  their  names  in  full  in 
the  newspapers  among  the  "  list  of  gamblers  captured  last  night 
by  our  '  Argus-eyed '  police."  The  owners  of  tho  bank  were 
accommodated  with  private  lodgings  in  the  brick  jail,  from  the 
barred  windows  of  which  they  could  solace  themselves  with  a 
sight  of  the  beautiful  foliage  of  the  papaw  bushes,  which 
adorned  the  hill  back  of  their  prison,  and  meditate  on  tho  con- 
flictmg  opinions  of  mankind,  and  the  arrogant  pride  of  some  ot 


i 


i^: 


Pi  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

that  Bpecles  In  foroiiiK  tlio  result  of  thoir  opinions  upon  whoever 
had  tlio  inisfortiino  to  (li.Hnjfrro  witli  tlicm,  while  "drossert  in  a 
llitlf  brief  iuithoiity."  Alter  a  few  days'  incarceration  they  wore 
rolea.scd,  hut  not  until  they  were  leeched  out  of  their  last  dollar, 
and  then  c()ini)elle(l  to  leave  the  city  within  a  few  hours.  Should 
they  refuse  to  accept  their  lilien  .  on  Kuch  hard  tenns,  ihoy  nuist 
either  procure  bail,  or  remain  in  jail  till  the  court  sat,  which  was 
once  In  six  months,  when  certain  conviction,  with  a  $1,000  fine 
and  imprisonment  for  one  year  in  the  county  jail  would  bo  their 
doom.  Of  the  two  evils  the  former  was  the  least,  and  such  faro- 
doalcrs  m  were  arrested  in  the  place  chose  it,  and  gave  to  the 
offlcors  their  last  dollar  to  escape  their  clutches.  Thisjilun- 
dor  was  divided  between  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  the  Marshal, 
and  the  District  Attorney.  Over  every  foot  of  soil  belonging  to 
the  State  of  Virginia  the  punishment  for  dealing  a  banking  game 
of  faro  was  a  flno  of$l,(X)0  and  imprisonment  for  one  year  In 
the  county  jail ;  but  the  law  had  fallen  into  disuse  except  in 
Wheeling,  where  it  was  enforced  by  a  few  rascally  officials,  for 
the  benefit  of  their  own  pockets. 

Lane  was  the  only  person  who  had  over  had  the  hardihood  not 
to  bo  fleeced  of  his  money,  when  arrested  for  dealing  faro.  Be- 
ing a  citizen,  and  having  many  influential  friendsin  the  place,  he 
Imagined  that  if  ho  opened  a  faro-bank  ho  would  be  exempt 
both  from  prosecution  and  persecution,  so  ho  tried  it  on.  This 
happened  about  eighteen  months  before  our  arrival.  Lane  was 
allowed  to  proceed  for  a  time,  and  then  was  suddenly  arrested, 
with  all  his  players.  He  furnished  the  necessary  bail,  stood  his 
trial,  was  convicted,  and,  according  to  statute,  sentenced  to  pay  a 
fine  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and  be  imprisoned  for  one  year. 
Through  the  influence  of  his  friends  in  Richmond,  however,  he 
was  pardoned  by  the  Governor,  about  two  weeks  after  the  pass- 
ing of  his  sentence,  to  tho  immense  disgust  of  the  prritans  of 
Wheeling.  He  never  again  tempted  fortune  by  opening  a  faro- 
bank  there,  although  he  told  ns  tho  present  M-vrshal  was  friend- 
ly to  him,  and  had  said  he  might  open  ono  if  he  wished,  provided 
he  conducted  it  very  quietly. 

On  the  second  day,  the  anxiously  expected  letter  from  Giles 
arrived,  and,  to  my  unbounded  joy,  Clarke  was  not  dead,  "nor 
is  ho  going  to  make  a  dio  of  it,"  wrote  Giles.  "But  that  lick 
you  gave  him  over  the  eye  with  the  deahng-box  has  branded 


^m 


sv. 


lions  upftn  whnevor 
liilo  "  (Iro.sserl  in  a 
rccratinn  thej'woro 
of  their  last  dollar, 
few  hours.  Should 
•d  tirniH,  ihoyiiuist 
ourt  sat,  which  was 
with  a  $1,000  flno 
jail  would  ho  their 
sast,  and  such  faro- 
t,  and  gave  to  tho 
itches.  This  jilun- 
city,  tho  Marshal, 
if  soil  belonging  to 
np  a  banking  game 
nt  for  one  year  in 
>  disuse  except  in 
iscally  officials,  for 

1  tho  hardihood  not 
dealing  faro.  Be- 
ulsin  tho  place,  he 
would  bo  exempt 
5  tried  it  on.  This 
arrival.  Lane  was 
suddenly  arrested, 
3ary  bail,  stood  his 
,  sentenced  to  pay  a 
aned  for  one  year, 
mond,  however,  he 
seks  after  tho  pass- 
of  tho  prritans  of 
by  opening  a  faro- 
klirshal  was  friend- 
10  wished,  provided 


I  letter  from  Giles 
fas  not  dead,  "nor 
s.  "But  that  lick 
j-box  has  branded 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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WHEELING. 


93 


him  with  ttie  raarlc  of  the  tiger,  and  he'll  carry  it  to  his  grave 
with  him."  He  then  went  on  to  state  that  nearly  all  of  those 
•who  were  in  the  room,  when  the  row  occurred,  left  town  that 
night  or  tho  next  morning,  being  afraid  they  might,  if  they  staid, 
be  brought  up  as  witnesses;  but  it  was  unnecessary,  for  the 
whole  afliiir  had  been  kept  so  silent  that  the  saints  in  power  had 
received  no  inkling  of  it,  up  to  the  time  of  his  writing.  He 
further  stated  that  Clarke  advised  his  friends  to  keep  tho  whole 
affair  under  cover,  but  that  he  threatened  to  kill  mc  when  he  re- 
covered. Giles  therefore  advised  us  not  to  return  to  Marietta 
until  he  could  come  to  some  friendly  understanding  with  him. 
His  admonition  was  entirely  unnecessary.  Nothing  but  force 
would  have  induced  tho  Major  to  return,  and  as  for  myself,  with 
more  than  five  thcjusand  dollars  in  my  pocket,  and  an  anxiety  to 
see  strange  climes  and  faces,  I  certainly  was  not  likely  to  do 
80,  all  things  considered.  Clarke's  threat  would  have  withheld 
me,  if  nothing  else ;  not  that  I  feared  him  especially,  and  I  was 
certainly  overjoyed  to  know  I  had  not  killed  him,  but  it  would 
have  been  foolish  for  me  to  have  returned  where  my  presence 
was  certain  to  bring  perplexity  and  trouble  to  those  who  loved 
mc. 

On  the  day  following  the  reception  of  Giles'  letter.  Lane  told 
the  Major  and  myself  that  he  had  had  an  interview  with  the 
City  Marshal,  and  that  he  was  willing  to  permit  us  to  open  and 
conduct  a  faro-bank  in  the  place,  provided  we  gave  to  him  one 
hundred  dollars,  and  five  per  cent,  of  whatever  we  won.  In 
consideration  of  which  wo  should  not  be  molested  by  him,  and  in 
case  any  complaint  was  made  against  us,  or  any  movements  of 
any  kind  that  would  endanger  our  safety  on  foot,  that  he  would 
give  us  timely  warning.  Lane  advised  us  to  accept  tho  terms, 
promising,  if  we  did  so,  to  bring  to  us  a  valuable  moneyed  play, 
and  wouid  also  furnish  the  money  to  take  a  third  interest  in  t^ 
game.  The  Major  was  pleased  with  the  proposal,  "because," 
said  he,  "after  taking  our  money  he  won't  betray  us,  and  the 
prospect  of  making  more  will  induce  him  to  protect  us."  So  we 
agreed  to  try  our  fortune  in  Wheeling,  and  lost  no  time  in  look- 
ing out  for  a  suitable  place  to  set  up  our  l)ank. 

"My  room   at  the  hotel  is  just  the  thing,"  said  the  Major, 
bringing  down  his  open  palm  smartly  upon  his  knee. 

"That's  so,"returned  Lane,  "and  old  Griffiths,  the  landlord, is 


94 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


just  the  man  vre  want  to  do  ousiness  witb ;  he'd  walk  a  mile  of 
a  rainy  night,  any  time,  to  get  a  chance  to  play  against  faro;  be- 
sides, he'll  bring  every  one  with  him  that's  worth  having,  so  I'll 
go  down  and  sound  the  old  cock." 

Mr.  Griffiths,  the  proprietor  of  the  "United  States  Hotel," 
was  a  good-natured,  jovia'  kind  of  soul ;  ho  was  fond  of  his  tod- 
dies, always  ready  to  attend  a  cocli-fight  or  a  horse-race,  or  to 
play  a  stack  of  white  checks  against  a  faro-bank,  or  even  to 
amuse  himself  at  a  small  game  of  poker.  But  to  allow  a  faro- 
bank  to  be  conducted  in  his  own  house,  the  fine  for  such  a  httlo 
delinquency  being  five  hundred  dollars,  was  more  than  the  old 
gentleman  could  stomach. 

"But  don't  I  tell  you  I've  got  the  Marshal  all  right? "  argued 
Lane,  in  plea  of  his  suit. 

"Have  you,  though?"  exclaimed  mine  host  of  the  "United 
States;"  "and I  tell  you  Iknow  Jerry  Clemmens,  the  Alarshal,  as 
you  call  him,  a  damn  sight  better  than  you  do.  He's  a  thief, 
Mr  Lane,  and  all  them  fellers  connected  with  him  are  a  set  of 
thieves,  the  whole  kit  and  bilin'  of  'era,  as  you'll  find  out  to  your 
sorrow,  if  you  tru.st  any  on  'em! " 

Facing  the  upper  end  of  the  steamboat  lauding,  and  built 
against  the  steep  bank  of  the  river,  was  a-small  three-story 
brick  house.    The  ground  floor  of  this  building  was  occupied  as 
a  grocery  store.    The  second  story,  which  was  unoccupied,  had 
in  front  a  wooden  balustrade,  from  which  a  ricketty  stairway 
descended  to  the  street.    The  top  story  was  entered  by  a  single 
door,  from  the  back  street,  which  wound  from  the  landing  to  the 
top  of  the  hill,  against  which  the  house  was  built,  and  soon  after 
lost  itself  in  the  main  street  of  the  city.    When  seen  from  the 
rear,  it  seemed  merely  a  one-story  brick  house.    This  top  room 
was  occupied  by  a  drunken  tailor,  by  the  name  of  Morse,  who 
was,  at  one  time,  owner  of  the  best  tailoring  establishment  in 
Wheeling;  but  love  of  liquor  had  brought  him  so  low  that  his 
former  patrons  dared  not  trust  him  with  cloth  sufficient  to  make 
a  pair  of  pantaloons,  for  fear  he  would  sell  it  for  whiskey.    He 
managed  to  live  by  working  during  the  day  at  any  stray  jobs  of 
mending  old  clothes,  and  from  what  he  could  collect  from  small 
poker  parties,  who  met  by  stealth  in  his  room  at  mght.    He 
would  generally  keep  sober  until  he  had  accumulated  twenty  or 
thirty  dollars,  when  he  would  start  on  a  spree,  and  keep  it  up 
aa  long  as  he  had  a  cent  or  could  run  his  face  for  a  dram. 


3ND. 

he'd  walk  a  mile  of 
lay  against  faro ;  be- 
ivorth  having,  bo  I'll 

nited  States  Hotel," 
was  fond  of  his  tod- 
ir  a  horse-race,  or  to 
ro-hank,  or  even  to 
But  to  allow  a  faro- 
I  fine  for  such  a  little 
IS  more  than  the  old 

al  all  right?  "argued 

host  of  the  "United 
mens,  the  Alarshal,  as 
Oil  do.  He's  a  thief, 
vith  him  are  a  set  of 
Aou'U  find  out  to  your 

it  lauding,  and  built 

a  •small  three -story 

ding  was  occupied  as 

was  unoccupied,  had 

I  a  ricketty  stairway 
IS  entered  by  a  single 
•om  the  landing  to  the 
s  built,  and  soon  after 

When  seen  from  the 
louse.  This  top  room 
3  name  of  Morse,  who 
)ring  establishment  in 
it  him  so  low  that  his 
loth  sufficient  to  make 

II  it  for  whiskey.  He 
ly  at  any  stray  jobs  of 
)uld  collect  from  small 
s  room  at  night.  He 
iccumulated  twenty  or 

spree,  and  keep  it  up 
'ace  for  a  dram. 


WHEELIXQ. 


95 


It  was  from  this  worthy  gentleman,  then,  that  we  received 
permission  to  set  up  our  game  iu  his  house.  Ho  was  just  get- 
ting off  one  of  his  customary  sprees,  flat  broke,  and  glad  of  the 
opportunity  to  make  another  raise  by  renting  his  room  to  us 
for  two  dollars  a  night.  Lane,  to  quiet  any  fears  he  might  en- 
tertain of  being  punished  for  allowing  us  to  deal  faro  in  his 
room,  told  him,  with  a  significant  wink,  that  there  was  no  dan- 
ger to  be  apprehended  from  the  authorities,  as  he'd  fixed  them 
all  riglit. 

"  Clemmens,  you  mean,  I  know,"  said  Morse,  with  a  shake  of  the 
head.  Look  out  for  him,  Mr.  Lane;  he 's  as  slippery  as  an  eel;  I 
ain't  afeard  o'  his  botherin'  me,  cos  he  can't  make  nothin'  outer 
me,  but  ho  won't  do,  that'-s  flat,"  said  Air.  Morse,  with  another 
ominous  shako  of  his  head.  "  Eec'lect,  Mr.  Lane,"  he  continued, 
"your  friends  here  is  strangers,  an'  are  got  money,  an'  them  there 
robbers  will  go  for  it  as  quick  as  a  bass  will  go  for  a  minnow, 
if  you  give  'em  half  a  chance." 

"Don't  let  that  bother  your  head,  old  fellow;  I've  arranged  all 
that,"  said  Laue. 

"  May  be,"  returned  Mr.  Morse,  "  but  there's  no  harm,  Mr. 
Lane,  in  just  shutting  the  gate.  Look  there,"  he  said,  pointing 
with  his  finger  towards  a  corner  of  the  floor;  "make  a  trap  door, 
and  a  pair  of  stairs  down  into  the  room  below;  there  ain't  no- 
body liviu'  there,  and  from  them  there  balcony  stairs  you  can 
make  tracks  towards  the  levee,  if  them  peelers  took  it  into  their 
heads  to  break  in  on  yo  some  fine  night  when  there  was  a  lot 
here  a  fightin'  the  tiger." 

"By  the  Lord!"  exclaimed  the  Major,  jumping  to  his  feet, 
"you're  the  only  sensible  man  among  us,  and  your  advice,  sir,  is 
too  good  to  be  thrown  away." 

Lane  procured  a  carpenter  on  whoso  secrecy  he  could  rely  ;  he 
made  the  trap  and  ratairs  at  his  shop,  and  fitted  them  to  their 
place,  during  the  night.  This  part  of  our  arrangements  we  kept 
to  ourselves,  not  deeming  it  wise  to  admit  our  customers  into  the 
secret.  Lane  had  a  dealing-table,  which  we  transferred  from  his 
residence  to  the  room,  also  during  the  night,  and,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  some  chairs,  candlesticks,  and  other  requisite  articles, 
we  were  ready  to  receive  customers.  Lane  commenced  muster- 
ing his  players,  but  they  fought  very  shy  for  the  first  two  or 
three  nights.    Lane  would  bring  them  in  and  introduce  them, 


96 


WANDERINGS  OF  A   VAGABOND. 


incl  the  Major  would  show  his  hospitality  by  shoving  before 
"Itl'ui  and  glasses,  or  porter,  if  they  pcife.ed  . >.  no 
sooner  had  they  swallowed  thoir  beverage  than  tae    ^^ould  le- 
r  i^^pitatefy,  as  if  they  were  afraid  the  cljuvs  ot    he  pohce 
would  seize  upon  them  before  they  could  leach  the  sticet. 
lane's  repeated  assurances  that  there  was  nothing  to  lear,  as  he 
had  thel^  arshal  all  right,  finally  began  to  have  its  weight 
The  thh-d  evening  of  our  venture,  two  gentlemen  having  the 
ia    o'  the  law  less  before  their  eyes  than  tbcir  conn)anu.„3 
houaht  twenty  dollars'  worth  of  checks,  and  with  them  tackled 
SaLeT  '  They  lost,  and  almost  immediately  left  the  room. 
They  came  again  on  the  following  evening,  and  tried  their  luck, 
which  gave  confidence  to  others.     From  that  night  tl.e  number 
TfTurplayers  gradually  increased;  eventhe  jovial landlordo  the 

-uTted  States"  so  for  overcame  his  fears  as  to  lend  us  the  light 
of  his  countenance,  which  was  a  host  in  our  favor,  .^^ccause  every 
player  in  the  place,  whose  custom  was  worth  having,  ^'ouW  fol- 
low where  old  John  Griffiths  led.      Finally  our  room  was  filled 
evlry  nigbt,  with  from  fifteen  to  twenty  players,  al    busmcss 
men  merchants,  stage-agents,  steamboat-raptaius,  and  the  Ike 
who'auiad  plenty  of  money,  which  they  bet  liberally  agains 
Ihe  Jame.     The  Major  and  myself  dealt,  and  frequently  did 
not  make  acquaintance  with  our  beds  before  daylight.     Lane 
Ltiiced  the  customers  to  the  game,  besides  keepmg  himself 
in  the  good  graces  of  the  Marshal,  on  whom  he  was  careful  to 
make  I  quiet  call,  every  morning,  and   report  proceedings^ 
?very   precaution  had  been  taken  to    keep  our   business  aa 
secret  as  possible.     Not  a  light  could  be  seen  in  our  room  from 
the  street.  Morse  was  on  duty  in  the  street,  with  a  key,  that  none 
mi-ht  gain  admittance  but  our  known  customers,  and  having  a 
suspicion,  notwithstanding  the  Marshal's   assurance  to   Lane, 
Ta?  tie  Wheeling  authorities  might  not  share  Mr.  Pitt's  opinion, 
that  "the  hut  of  the  peasant  should  be  as  secure  Irom  official  in- 
trusion as  the  palace  of  the  king,"  we  had  caused  a  strong  oaken 
bar,  held  by  two  heavy  iron  staples  firmly  fastened  into  the  doov- 
pos  s,  to  be  put  up.    We  had  also  arranged  with  our  worthy 
sentinel,  Morse,  that  in  case  a  descent  was  made  upon  us,  he 
hould  give  finely  warning,  in  order  that  we  might  nmke  our  es- 
cape by  the  tran-door.     The  signal  agreed  upon  was  that  he 
sSld  sing  out;ioud  enough  for  us  to  hear,  "  Whose  corn-patch 


»ND. 

by  shoving  before 
pcrfcncd  it,  but  no 
tbau  they  would  re- 
claws  of  the  police 
;1  reach  the  street, 
lothiug  to  fear,  as  ho 
to  have  its  weight, 
mtlemcn  having  the 
n  their  coiapanions, 
[1  with  them  tackled 
lately  left  the  room. 

and  tried  their  luck, 
lat  night  the  number 

jovial  landlord  of  the 
IS  to  lend  us  the  light 

favor,  because  every 
th  having,  would  fol- 
f  our  room  was  filled 

players,  all  business 
■aptaius,  and  the  like, 

bet  liberally  against 
t,  and  frequently  did 
iforo  daylight.  Lane 
jsides  keeping  himself 
horn  he  was  careful  to 
I  report  proceedings, 
keep  our  business  as 
seen  in  our  room  from 
t,  with  a  key,  that  none 
stomers,  and  having  a 
s  assurance  to  Lane, 
liaro  Mr.  Pitt's  opinion, 

secure  from  official  in- 
1  caused  a  strong  oaken 

fastened  into  the  door- 
anged  with  our  worthy 

was  made  upon  us,  he 
,  we  might  make  oures- 
reed  upon  was  that  he 
ar,  "  Whose  corn-patch 


WHEKLINO. 


97 


Is  to  be  robbed  now  ? "  Tliis  luminous  idea  emanated  from  the 
prolific  brain  of  the  ifajnr,  who  contended  it  was  an  unusual 
expression,  and  less  likely  to  create  a  misunderstanding  than 
another.  For  more  than  two  weeks  <iiir  game  continued  with- 
out any  Imjicdimcnt,  during  which  time  it  won  about  i?2,;3()0. 
But  evcrytiiing  is  uncertain  in  this  world,  except  death,  rent- 
day,  and  board-bills.  On  the  eighteenth  night,  our  gambling 
carctM'  in  Wheeling  was  brouglit  to  an  al)rupt  close. 

'"Twas    the   'witching  hour    of    night,   when    churchyards 
yawn,"  etc.,  and  our  players  were  about  8"»00  ahead  of  tlio  bank, 
the  first  successlul  assault  they  had  made  ui)on  it  since  we  had 
opened.     Their  good  Ibrtuno  rendered  tlicm  good-natured,  and 
the  four  dozen   of  ale  and  porter,  together  with  a  gallon  of 
brandy,  which  they  had  hidden  away  behind  their  shirts,  began 
to  make  them  feel  conifortable  and  hapi)y.     Among  them  was 
a  big  burly  red-headed  Irishman  named  Dougherty,  the  only 
loser  in  the  party.     He  was  interested  in  a  wholesale  liquoi  store 
in  tlie  place.      llis  excitable  temperament  would  not  allow  him 
to  sit  in  a  chair  while  at  play,  like  any  one  else,  but  kept  him 
continually  walking  about  tbo  room,  now  and  then  reaching 
over  the  heads  of  the  other  players  to  place  a  bet  on  the  lay- 
out, or  pick  ouQ  up  from  it.      Whenever  his  checks  gave  out, 
and  he  discovered  a  card  which  he  thought  a  winner,  he  would 
sing  out  to  me,  "  Ilowld  where  ye're,  Jack,  a  bit,  till  I  bate  the 
bank;"  then  ho  would  bid  me  put  "tin  dollars  in  ivory"  ou  hia 
chosen  card,  "  an'  if  I  lose  tliem,  mo  boy,  sure  I've  the  mojiey  in 
me  fist  to  pay  yez,"  at  the  same  time  displaying  a  gold  eagle  in 
bis  fingers.    Whether  from  the  closeness  of  the  room,  the  Hquor 
he  had  drank,  or  hia  losing  rather  heavily  against  the  bank,  the 
perspiration  rolled  in  streams  from  his  face,  and  between  watch- 
hig  his  bets  and  swabbing  himself  with  a  red  bandana  hand- 
kerchief, he  had  quite  enough  to  keep  him  ])rctty  well  employ-"" 
ed.     "Howld  there.  Jack,  till  I  bate  ye's."  "Yes  sir,  what  can  I 
do  for  Mr.  Dougherty!"     "  Ye'll  put  tin  dollars  in  ivory  beyant 
the  blagard  king;  it's  bate  me  three  times,  he  has,  hand  runnin', 
bad  luck  till  his  dirty  carcass."    I  placed  the  ten  dollars'  worth 
of  checks  as  he  had  desired,  when  he  said,    "  By  your  lave, 
master  Jack,  them  cheeks  will  engraft  themsilves  on  the  black 
sivin,  and  if  there  isn't  a  black  sivin  in  the  box,  the  divil  other 
one  it'll  take;  do  ye  mind  that,  master  Jack  ?"    "All  right,  Mr. 


ti-'C'^^.'^.^" 


98  WAXDEIJIXUS  OF    A    VA(}ABOND. 

Dougherty,"  had  no  sooner  passed  my  lips,  than  the  shrill  voice 
of  Morse  waa  heard,  singing  out,   "Whose  corn-patch  is  to  bo 

robbed  now  V  ,         ■      .. 

"By  the  Eternal!"  exclaimed  the  Major,  "they're  going  to 

break  in  upon  us." 

"^/hat's  the  matter?  Any  thing  wrong  f  What's  up?"  queried 

several  of  the  players  at  once. 

"  The  authorities  are  at  the  door,  gentlemen,"  whispered  tlie 

Major.  , 

All  was  now  confusion  and  dismay.    Some  of  the  players  de- 
manded money  for  their  checks,  while  some  stuck  theirs  in  their 
pockets,  as  they  rose  frightened  from  their  seats.    I  conveyed 
what  money  was  in  the  card-box  to  my  breast-pocket,  and  had 
barely  done  so  when  all  the  lights  were  extinguished,  by  whom, 
I  do  not  to  this  day  know,  but  evidently  by  some  of  the  players. 
We  now  heard  a  short  scuffle  at  the  door,  and  the  raised  voice  of 
Morse  crving,  "This  is  my  house,  and  you  can't  get  into  it."    A 
moment's  stillness  was  broken  by  a  smart  rapping  on  the  door 
with  a  stick,  and  a  stern  voice  demanding  it  to  bo  opened  m  the 
name  of  the  law.     "It's  tho  Mayoi,"  whispered  one  of  the  play- 
ers.   No  response  being  made  to  this  demand,  tho  same  voice 
called  out  in  a  louder  key,  "If  you  don't  open  the  door,  I'll 
burst  it  open."     "Begorra,  ye'd  betther  not,  if  ye're  wise, 
shouted  Dougherty.    A  heavy  surge  against  the  door  was  the 
only  response,  followed  by  another,  which  shook  the  old  tene- 
ment 80  that  for  a  moment  I  thought  it  was  about  to  tumble 
into  tho  river.    The  strong  oaken  bar,  before  mentioned,  kept 
the  door  from  being  broken,  but  it  was  evident  it  would  not 
stand  much  further  pressure.    I  had  by  this  time  gathered  up 
the  faro  tools,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Major,  had  placed 
them  in  the  valise.  I  then  whispered  in  his  ear,  "  The  trap-door! 
be  quick!"    He  squeezed  my  arm,  and  I  moved  forward,  or 
rather  groped  my  way,  the  Major  holding  by  my  arm  till  wp 
reached  the  desired  spot.    I  brushed  from  it  the  rubbish  of  old 
clothing  belonging  to  Morse,  under  which  it  was  hidden,  and 
raised  the  trap.    I  made  the  Major  descend  first,  and  passed 
hun  the  valise ;  I  then  made  the  best  of  my  way  down  myself.    I 
had  scarcely  placed  my  foot  upon  the  second  step  of  the  narrow 
staircase,  when  the  powerful  voice  of  Dougherty  sounded  on  my 
ear,  calling  to  those  battering  at  tho  door,  in  stentorian  tones, 


iOND. 

than  the  shrill  voice 
corn-patch  is  to  bo 

ir,  "they're  goinj,'  to 

What's  up?"  queried 

)mcn,"  whispered  the 

me  of  the  players  do- 
D  stuck  theirs  in  their 
ir  seats.    I  conveyed 
■east-pocket,  and  had 
tinguished,  by  whom, 
.y  some  of  the  players. 
md  the  raised  voice  of 
I  can't  get  into  it."    A 
t  rapping  on  the  door 
it  to  ho  opened  in  the 
)cred  one  of  the  play- 
mand,  the  same  voice 
I't  open  the  door,   I'll 
r  not,  if  ye're  wise," 
,inst  the  door  was  the 
li  shook  the  old  teno- 
;  was  about  to  tumble 
jcfore  mentioned,  kept 
i  evident  it  would  not 
this  time  gathered  up 
the  Major,  had  placed 
sear,  "The  trap -door! 
I  moved  forward,  or 
ing  by  my  arm  till  we 
m  it  the  rubbish  of  old 
ich  it  was  hidden,  and 
5cend  first,  and  passed 
ly  way  down  myself.    I 
lond  step  of  the  narrow 
agherty  sounded  on  my 
)or,  in  stentorian  tones, 


WUKKUNG.  ^ 

7y!"'''  ^T^.  T'^'l  *^f  *  ^"•■'''  ^'"  '"""b«^  >^«ry  mother's  son 
0  }cs       rhey  heeded  hnn  not,  but  with  renewed  energy  as  it 

emod,  continued  surging  against  it  with  their  united  sS'gt, 
the  door  now  evidently  showing  signs  of  giving  way.  "  Lot's 
fight  the  d-d  sons  of  b-s,"  cried  a  voice  which  I  recognize  1  „s 

longmg  to  an  agent  for  one  of  the  stage  lines.     "  wS  tho 

bato'otV'"""*  ""''  f"  '''''  "«'^^'^'"'  »^'-'l  --^"'"""^  y4  am? 
Uie  eS  oTCir^""'"''  ''""«'^^'"^'-     "'^  '"'''  see„,ed  to'hav 
pond   o  it     T  ^^'n"'''Vr  '^  ''''  '"''^'^'^^  •''l'I«^--™'l  to  re- 
101  med  me  that  they  were  preparing  to  give  then-  a8«ailnnf«  -x 
warm  reception.     They  had  barely  thne  to^se  ze  t^.^wl '  Hho 

These  escaped  the  worse  fate  of  many  of  their  companions  who 

them  "to  grass,"  not  to  "come  up  to  time  "again  that  nicht 
either.     The  defenders  of  the  citadel  charged  ui,on  s  ch  o   the 

wiS  S  T  """?''  '''''  ^^-^^  ^''^'^  ''^P-d-'  thdr  b  t les 
with  such_  force  and  energy  that  the  Mayor  and  his  satellites 
were  all  ignominiously  routed,  or  placed  "hors  clu  combat" 

r/lrn?  .?'^/*'?''"''  '"'■"S"^''  ^y  '^''  'I""  life'l^t  ^vhich  shone 
n  through  the  broken-down  door,  I  lost  all  sense  of  my  situa- 
tion I  listened  to  the  powerful  voice  of  Dougherty  cheerinjr  on 
h.s  iriends  and  could  see  his  burly  form  as  he  "waded  ,^o"  Z 
foes,  knocking  them  right  and  left.  The  attack  was  o  sudden 
and  unexpected,  that  the  Mayor  and  his  party  were  whipped 
before  they  had  time  to  make  hardly  a  sho  J  of  resistance  The 
Mojor  had  made  his  way  to  the  balcony,  which  overlooked  the 
r  r^  .  T  '  ^^7-^"'^  ^''  ""  ^'"^  ™"'°''°t«'  ^-^-Pecting  momenta- 

til  *  77^'^  ^rJ^™-  ^^^  '^''  ''^'  I  l^'^'i  been  standing  on 
the  second  step  of  the  staircase,  but  was  now  brought  to  rav 

tSS  ?'wn,Tf  ^~^  >«  keeping  you?"  and  made  conscious 
that  I  was  loitering  away  time,  which  was  precious.  In  a  few 
moments  we  were  both  standing  on  the  levee,  where  Morse 
came  to  us  During  the  row,  he  had  escaped  from  his  captors, 
and  knowing  we  would  make  our  exit  bV  the  trap-door  hS 

about  Jn^f  "!;  ^°  '""'^^  "^  '^^^"""  -^  ^^«  "^^-^  if  theVver 
mr!i  T  r^''''  ^^''^''  *''  ^  ''^''^"  '^^^'  ^l^ere  the  ferry- 
man slept.    Morse  roused  him,  and,  after  explaining  our  wants, 


'^S'^r- 


100 


WANUliUlNUS   OF    A    VACiAUOSD. 


tho  ferryman  agreed  to  put  us  across  tbe  rivor  in  a  skiflf  for  a 

'^"il  You'd   bottor  co.no  ^vith  us,  Mor.c,"  I  .luspored,  so  tbe 
ferrynnmsbould  not  bear.     "Wbyr'  l"' '^f ;' ;         . 

"  VVon'l  iboy  put  you  in  jail,  if  Ibey  cateb  )  ou  ?  , ,  ^,  „„ 

<.NoUbcy,"saidbo,  lau,bin«.   "Wantn.cf  N"- i"'^?,^f 'J^^om 
tbievcs  van   n.on.-v,  an.l  tbcy  Icnow  I  ain't  K-t  any.     llu<>  ^van 
vou  am    be  o  d  nun  bcrc,  tbat's  wbat  tb.y  ^vant   and  n.y  best 

""'to  bad  been  paying  bin,  bis  i.nt  "'«^^^>>- j  .-';^;;;;7;^;^,:^ 
owed  bini  but  for  tbe  present  nigbt.     I  gave  inn,  t  nee  ten  .  ol 
hrl      pieces,  wbicb  be  received  vvitb  n.any  tbanks,  and  after 
SeCr  l^'l  toldbimto  inl^am  Lane  tl-- -  ■^'^    /;; - 
to  see  bini  at  tbe  botel  at  Hri.lgeport,  as  soon  as  bo  uuUl  n  .    o 
It  convenient  on  foe  morrow,  be  sl»>ok  us  warn.ly  by  tbe  band 

'''"wil^n  ferrvman  had  set  us  on  tbe  island,  as  agreed  npon 
we  bad  to  walk  about  a  nnle  in  order  to  reach  t  -  ;|;ry  o  - 
opposite  side,  and  also  carry  the  vah«o  cont;um  g  tbe  a.o-  o^^^^ 
which  got  pretty  heavy  before  we  reached  tl  c  i-'ud  o  it  m  ng 
our  tramp  across  the  island,  I  tried  several  tnnes  to  d  avv  e 
SoSinversation,  with  but  scantsuccess.    Our  nigh  s  ad- 

vSZe  with  the  tran;p  for  the  Hnale,  ^^ -^^^^^}f^ ^^ 
ed  hm  When  we  finally  reached  tbe  opposUe  side,  we  spen 
wba  remaining  strength  we  bad,  bawling  for  ^^^^^J^ 
L,„n  m„l  tike  us  over.  His  boat  was  on  tbe  opposite  sborc, 
anThX  doubt  snug  in  bed  and  fast  a.sleep,  for  no  one  came 
?o  ou  'rXritVas'now  near  three  o'^l-k- -d  wo  had  i^^ 
choice  but  to  remain  where  we  were  until  daybreak  Iho 
■      mov  apparently  took  matters  very  coolly,  for  I  could  ™  g  t  .a 

word  out  of  him,  which  at  that  time  made  bis  companions    p 

aimhing  but  agi^eeable.    I  Anally  succeeded  in  t orcmg  a    ttlc 
maUoVinto?im  by  making  - -slaught  on  tbe  inMbit^nts 

of  his  native  State.    "Nice  way  this,  Major,  joui   high-touea 

Virginians  have  of  treating  faro-dealers." 

-Damn  it,  sir,  don't  call  them  infernal  thieves  over  there,  Vu- 

giniS^     Virginians  are  gentlemen,  and  know  how  to  treat 

strangers  with  courtesy,  sir!" 


vcT  In  a  skill"  for  a 
\vliisi)cre(l,  so  tho 

•ou?"     ■ 

No,  indopcl!  Them 
[)t  any.  Tlioy  want 
want,  and  my  best 
(.1-  ill  (loulilc-qnicU, 
auso  if  they  fmd  out 
I  lilio  a  thousand  o' 

y ;  consoqucntly  wo 
e  liim  three  ten  dol- 
ly  tlianlvs,  and  after 
\t  wo  should  expect 
)n  as  he  could  nudio 
wp.nnly  hy  Uu'  liund 

md,  as  affreed  upon, 
lU'h  the  fciTy  on  tho 
iiinuii,'  the  faro-tools, 
he  end  of  it.   During 
d  times  to  draw  the 
icss.    Our  night's  ad- 
l  completely  cxhaust- 
[losito  side,  we  spent 
:  for  tho  ferrymari  to 
;i  the  opposite  shore, 
leep,  for  no  one  came 
lock,  and  wo  bad  no 
intil  daybreak.     The 
,  for  I  could  not  get  a 
do  his  companionship 
led  in  forcing  a  little 
;ht  on  the  inhabitants 
Eijor,  your  high-toued 

liieves  over  there,  Vir- 
l  know  how  to  treat 


WIIEELIN(i. 


101 


"  Well,  Jlnjor,  if  "\nioeling  isn't  in  Virginia,  I'll  have  to  travel 
over  my  geography  again." 

"Tan-handle,  sir!  Virginians  have  never  acknowledged  tho 
damned  abolition  dog-holo  as  any  part  of  their  State,  and  I  wish 
an  eartln|uako  woidd  swallow  t!;e  cursed  place  up,  and  not  leave 
a  vestige  of  tho  infernal  race  of  rattlesnakes  that  inhabit  it,  to 
show  that  it  ever  existed.  "  With  this  volley  went  what  strength 
remained  after  the  fatigues  and  vexations  of  the  night,  and  tho 
coi)ioiis  drinks  of  liquor  ho  had  imbibed,  and,  too  tired  even  to 
swear,  the  irate  Major  stretched  himself  on  tho  grass,  with  Ids 
head  resting  on  his  vali.se,  and  balmy  sleep  soon  relieved  nim 
frotn  Jus  present  troubles. 

Not  so  with  mo.  For  nearly  three  weary  hours  did  I  pace 
backward  and  forward  along  the  baidvs  of  tho  river,  breaking 
tho  monotony,  at  times,  by  stopping  to  pitch  a  atone  into  it,  or 
pausing  in  my  sentinel  stride  to  listen  intently  whenever  any  of 
tho  thousand  and  one  "  voices  of  the  nigiit''  nade  mo  inuigino  I 
could  hear  the  footsteps  or  voices  of  men,  or  the  clattering  hoof'- 
of  the  horses  of  our  pursuers.  It  was  long  after  daybreak  when 
tho  ferry-boat  at  last  took  us  over  to  Uridgeiioit,  a  small  place, 
coutaiinng  about  thirty  houses,  and  among  them  a  small  tavern, 
where  wo  got  some  breakfast,  and  afterwards  beds,  into  which 
we  tumbled,  and  H\o\}t  till  two  o'clock  in  the  day.  Lane  arrived 
about  two  hours  later,  and  from  him  wo  learned  that  no  arrests 
had  been  made,  up  to  tho  time  when  ho  left  Wheeling.  "Nor," 
ho  continued,  "do  I  believe  there  will  bo  any;  the  Mayor,  nor 
any  of  his  party,  were  able  to  recognize  a  single  one  of  your 
players,  and  I  understand  the  Mayor  is  laid  up  from  a  smash 
of  a  bottlo  ho  got  ovc  tho  eyes,  and  many  others  are  dreadfully 
cut  up.  Tho  affair  was  creating  considerable  amusement  iu 
Wheeling,  at  tho  expense  of  the  authorities,"  who,  he  added, 
"  have  few  sympathizers,  the  verdict  of  almost  every  one  boing7 
"Served  them  exactly  right."  Tho  first  intimation  I  had  of  the 
row,  was  being  knocked  up  out  of  my  sleep,  by  Morse,  who  told 
me  of  the  fight,  and  your  escape;  I  was  afraid  to  venture  near 
tho  room,  lest  some  of  tho  police  might  be  prowling  near  the 
spot,  and  grab  mo.  So  I  gave  Morse  a  bed,  and  waited  till  I  had 
daylight  for  it,  then  went  down  to  tho  room.  There  wasn't  a 
soul  there,  nor  near  there.  Tho  door  was  smashed  in,  and 
broken  bottles,  chairs,  and  candlesticks,  together  with  other 


lOB 


WANDEUIN08  OF  A   VAGABOND. 


debris,  wore  sratttTo.l  In  confusion  about  the  place,  showing 
nlainly  that   somo  hot  work  ha<l  takon  placo  there.     1  set  up 
ho  broken  door  and  chmed  the  trap,  which  you  had  Mt  open, 
and  went  h.>mo  aKaln.     Aft..-    br.>akfast,  I  u.ado   it  my   nr«t 
bushics..  to  call  upon  tho  Marshal,  at  his  h.uise,  and  cl-mand  an 
explanation.     Ho  protended  to  be  nu.chastonl.he.l,  and  declared 
this  was  tho  very  Hrst  be  ha.l  heard  of  it.     Ho  went  on  to  sta  e 
hat^h^  evening  before,  business  had  called  him  to  Wellsburg  (a 
place  about  elghtmiles  above,  on  the  river),  whore  ho  was  u  ex- 
Edly  detafned,  and  did  not  arrive  at  home  until  two  o'clock 
fn  the  mornlnR.    Ho  then  a.sked  me  to  come  back  a    noon  say- 
iL  by  that   time  ho  should  have  succeeded  in  gcttrng  all  the 
particulars  relating  to  the  affair,  and  would  let  mo  know  a 
about  it ;  at  the  same  time  expressing  groat  concern,  and  as  I  n, 
mo  where  you  were.    I  told  him  I  didn't  know,  and  I  waited 
rxU,Sy  enough  for  noon  to  come,  because  I  did  "«t  ^-j  to 
como  over  here  until  I  could  bring  you  all  the  news  I  c"U^  ^o    ct 
m  relation  to  the  matter.    In  tho  meantime  I  saw  old  Or.  Uths 
and  some  others  of  our  customers,  and  have  ascertained  that 
none  oTthem    are  hurt;    nor  do  they  fool  tho   eas^^  uneasy 
resarding  tho  affair.    Griffiths  said  several  had  checks,  which 
Zt  be  Redeemed,  and  I  told  him  to  get  them  all  together  and 
I  would  pay  him  the  money  for  them.    He  promised  to  do  so. 
"  That's  right,"  said  the  Major.  . 

"At  twelve,  precisely,"  continued  Lane,  "I  was  again  at  the 
Marshal's  house.    He  pretended  to  bo  in  a  great  rage  with  the 
Mayor  whoX  told  mo'  had  purposely  sent  him  to  Wellsburg,  ou 
a  trumped-up  errand,  that  he  might  get  a  chance  to  arrest  you  m 
ms  absence.    'But  I'll  get  oven  with  him  for  nterfonng  with  rny 
duty,  the  old  villain,'  fumed  Clemmens,  shaking  his  fist.      Im 
darnn  glad  he's  got  licked,  instead  of  grabbing  (««/,['' '^^f '  .^^^J 
I  am,  Mr.  Lane.    But  he's  a  mighty  bitter  old  fc  low,  a  brttcr 
piS%en  he  gets  started,  I  tell  you ;  so  tell  your  friends  to  fight 
Z  for  a  few  days  till  this  business  blows  over,  and  he  won't  love 
you  any  better  for  it ;  so  keep  your  eye  skinned  for  h  m,  Mr.  Lane/ 
I  tSanked  him  for  his  advice,"  said  Lane,  "  but  told  h.m  I  had  no 
Idea  where  you  were,  but  if  I  found  out,  should  not  fad  topos  you 
up    After  skirmishing  around  some  time  longer,  he  inquired  how 
much  the  game  had  won.    I  told  him,  but  he  knew  almost  as 
well  as  myself;  he  was  always  asking  mo  the  same  question. 


the  place,  showing 

ice  there.     1  set  up 

you  hiid  1<  ft  open, 

I  niado   it  my   lirat 

use,  iind  di'niand  fin 

iili*h(!(l,  and  declared 

lie  went  on  to  state 

hhn  to  Wellahurg  (a 

where  ho  was  uncx- 

no  until  two  o'clock 

0  hack  at  noon,  say- 
id  in  getting  all  the 
uld  let  mo  know  all 
t  concern,  and  asking 

know,  and  1  waited 
HO  I  did  not  want  to 
10  news  I  could  collect 
10  I  saw  old  GrilUths, 
lavo  ascertained  that 
feel  the  least  uneasy 
al  had  checks,  which 
aem  all  together,  and 

1  promised  to  do  so." 

e,  "I  was  again  at  the 
a  great  rage  with  the 
It  him  to  Wellshurg,  ou 
chance  to  arrest  you  in 
for  interfering  with  my 
shaking  his  fist.    '  I'm 
ibing  your  friends,  tL  .t 
tter  old  fellow,  a  bitter 
ell  your  friends  to  fight 
aver,  and  he  won't  love 
oncd  for  him,  Mr.  Lane.' 
"  but  told  him  I  had  no 
ould  not  fail  to  post  you 
I  longer,  ho  inquired  how 
but  he  knew  almost  as 
mo  the  same  question, 


\VIIKKI,1N(J. 


UY,i 


every  time  wo  met.  He  then  demanded  his  flvo  per  cent.  I  told 
him  you  had  tlio  money,  and  were  gone.  '  That'.s  got  nothing 
to  do  with  mo;  I  look  to  you,  Lane,  for  my  money,'  he  replied. 
'  If  thiit's  the  case,'  I  rejoined,  '  you'll  look  for  what  you  won't 
find;  for  I  tell  you  plainly  that  I  won't  give  you  a  cent.  You 
have  no  right  to  it ;  you  did  not  protect  ray  friends  as  you 
promised.'  '  I  did,  as  long  as  I  could,  Mr.  Lane,  and  you'ro 
not  going  to  cheat  mo  out  of  my  money,'  ho  cried,  in  his  most 
domineering  manner.  '  Not  a  cent  will  you  got  from  mo,'  I  re- 
plied, 'no,  not  if 'twas  to  save  your  life,  Mr.  Clommens;  because 
I  believe  this  whole  atifair  was  a  put-up  job  hotwcen  you  and  the 
Mayor,  to  rob  my  friends.' 

"  'You  say  that  to  cover  your  own  rascality  with  mo  ;  but  you 
give  mo  my  money,'  ho  cried,  shaking  his  finger  in  my  face, '  or 
I'll  make  this  town  so  damned  hot  for  you,  that  'twont  hold  you.'" 

"  You  should  have  killed  the  danm  scoundrel  on  the  spot," 
said  the  Major,  excitedly. 

"I  don't  think,  Major,"  said  Lane,  smiling,  "that  that  would 
have  improved  matters  much,  in  my  case,  but  I  think  I  did 
better:  I  just  told  him,  point  blank,  that  I  didn't  beliovo  a  word 
of  his  Wellshurg  story,  neither  did  T  believe  the  Mayor  would 
have  dared  to  make  a  descent  ou  us,  without  his  knowledge  and 
consent — that  I  was  satisfied  that  'twas  all  a  put-up  job.  '  Now, 
Mr.  Clemmons,'  I  said,  '  you've  boon  good  enough  to  say  you'll 
make  this  town  too  hot  to  hold  me.  I'm  glad  you've  warned  me ; 
I'll  do  the  same  little  favor  for  you.  When  the  grand  jury 
meets  the  first  of  next  month,  I'll  go  before  it  and  swear  that  I 
gpvo  you  one  hundred  dollars  as  a  bribe,  to  allow  a  faro  bank 
to  bo  played  in  the  place.' 

"You  had  him  there,  Lane,  whore  his  hair  was  short,"  said  the 
Major.       •  • 

"Ho  thought  so  himself,  I  reckon,"  repUod  Lane,  "for  be 
wilted  immediately,  and  insisted  that  he  didn't  moan  anything 
when  he  said  ho'd  make  the  town  too  hot  for  me,  and  sworo  to 
me  black  and  hluo  that  my  suspicion  of  his  having  any  know- 
ledge of  the  Mayor's  intentions  to  arrest  you  was  all  wrong,  and 
finally  promised  to  have  tho  whole  thing  hushed  up,  and  asked 
me  to  come  and  see  him  again  to-night  oi  .a  the  morning." 

''Morse  always  said  ho  was  a  thief,  and  would  betray  us  -when- 
ever it  was  for  his  intb.  csc  to  do  so,  and  he  spoke  like  a  prophet," 
8aid  the  Major. 


104 


■WAN'DEKIXUS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


..He  deceived  me,"  sai.l  Laue;  "I  see  it  all  now  Ho  was 
afraid  yc.a'd  bo  mis.,..:,  .  .nuo  tine  moruiug,  kuowmg-  hat  s  wha 
L-cl  do  himself,  and  the  tenn.tatio..  to  u.b  you  -h'  o  Ue  cou^,^ 
was  t.io  much  for  him.  You  had  too  much  money,  tha  s  \  hat  s 
the  matter,'  so  he  just  put  up  the  job  that  tl:e  Mayor  ^^^^^^ 
vest  vo.,,  while  ho  kept  out  of  tlie  way,  to  b  uid  me.  1  lj^>/';'  S^^ 
they'coJlil  squeeze  ten  or  lifteen  hundred  dollars  out  of  jou,  at 

least— a  bis,'  prize  for  them." 

"Uv  the  Eternal!  they  caught  the  prize;   out 'twas  a  Scotch 

one,"  laughed  the  Major;  "but  you  must  hunt  up  our  friends  and 
redeem  their  checks-I'll  give  you  the  money  to  ^o  so-and  brmg 
over  our  baggage  from  the  hotel,  and  settle  our  hi  Is.  Do  it  to- 
day bcausfl  ;ant  to  leave  this  place  to-moiTOW.  Then  a  new 
cro.ket  seized  the  Major's  brain.  Overjoyed  ^  /he  result  of  our 
intended  capture,  ho  wanted  Lane  to  invite  all  our  player  to 
come  over,  and  he  would  give  them  a  dinner.  Ho  ordered  him 
to  bring  a  couplo  of  gallons  of  the  best  brandy  he  could  imd, 
together  with  two  baskets  of  champagne.  "  Bring  old  Grilhths; 
he^s  a  fud  team,  by  the  Lord!  and  don't  forget  l^^gl;;^^^^'  ^^^l^^; 
he's  the  only  Irishmnu  I  ever  liked;  and  we'll  make  r.  joUy  night 
of  it  fi/r  I'm  in  the  humor,  and  feel  lik  3  a  young  colt.  _ 

B'M  Lane,  after  much  argument,  dissuaded  the  Major  from  his 
hospitable  intentions,  representing  to  him  their  impropriety. 
«'  Those  gentlemen,  Major,  don't  want  to  come  all  the  way  (iver 
h-.re  to  eat  a  dinner  at  a  one-horse  country  tavern,  where  they 
can  get  nothing  fit  to  eat  anyhow;  and  besides,  consider,  they 
want^  of  course,  to  keep  as  duiet  as  possible  just  now,  m  coiise- 
nuence  of  this  alluir.    If  they  are  not  already  known  to  the 
n.^thorities,  their  coming  over  hero  to  feast  with  you  would  spot 
every  ono  of  them  out  at  once,  because  Clemmens  and  the  rest 
would  bo  sure  to  hear  of  it.    Never  mind  the  dinner;  save  your 
money,  Major ;  you'll  feel  all  the  bettor  after  it  to-morrow  mornuig. 
There's  a  boat  expected  down  in  the  morning,  and  I'll  have  youi 
luggage  over  in  good  time,  and  my  team  to  take  you  to  Bella.ro 
where  you  can  got  aboard  of  her."    The  Major  reluctantly  yielded 
to  the  advice  of  Lane,  who  shoruy  left  us  for  the  night. 

On  the  following  day,a  littlo  after  noon.  Lane  made  his  ap- 
pearance in  a  carriage,  bringing  our  baggage;  we  entered  ua^d 
;.ere  driven  to  Bellaire.  a  town  about  four  miles  further  down 
the  river.    The  expected  steamer  had  not  been  heard  from  when 


OND. 

it  all  now.  Ho  was 
kuowiiig  that's  what 
b  you  ivhile  he  could 
money,  '  that's  what's 
the  Mayor  should  ar- 
iid  me.  They  thought 
doUars  out  of  you,  at 

1 ;   t)ut  'twas  a  Scotch 
uut  up  our  friends  and 
3y  to  do  so— and  hring 
0  our  bills.    Do  it  to- 
loiTow."    Then  a  new 
yoU  at  the  result  of  our 
rite  all  our  players  to 
uer.     Ho  ordered  him 
brandy  he  could  llud, 
"Bring  old  Grilliths; 
rget  Dougherty,  Lane; 
vo'll  make  ?.  jolly  night 
young  colt." 
(led  the  Major  from  his 
lim  their  impropriety, 
come  all  the  way  over 
itry  tavern,  where  they 
.  besides,  consider,  they 
ble  just  now,  in  couse- 
alrcady  known  to  the 
vst  with  you  would  spot 
Clemmens  and  the  rest 
il  the  dinner;  save  your 
jr  it  to-morrow  morning, 
•uing,  and  I'll  have  your 
to  take  you  to  liellairo, 
tfajor  reluctantly  yielded 
!  for  the  night. 
)on,  Lane  made  his  ap- 
gage;  we  entered  it  and 
four  miles  further  down 
ot  been  heard  from  when 


"WHEELI>"G. 


lOS 


Lane  left  Wheeling.  From  him  we  leannd  the  important  facts 
tuat  Morse  was  ou  a  spree  and  that  no  arrests  ha(l  been  made 
of  parties  engaged  in  our  aOair,  nor  were  any  likely  to  be  made. 
The  .Marslial  had  said  there  would  be  none,  and  had  apologized 
for  liis  rough  language  to  Lane. 

"Look  out  for  him,  Mr.  Lane,''  I  said;  "he's  only  waiting  to 
get  a  good  tight  grip  on  you." 

"  r\  0  nothing  to  fear  from  him,  Jack,  and  if  ho  ever  fools  me 
again  'tis  my  own  fault.  However,  I'm  going  to  leave  the  place; 
I'm  going  to  Kichmond  to  live." 

"That's  the  talk  !"  cried  the  Major.  " I'm  glad  to  see  you've  got 
some  wisdom  at  last.  But  whoa  are  you  going  to  start  f  Will 
you  take  your  family  with  you  f" 

"Yea,  sir,  I  shall;  and  all  that  now  detains  mo  is  some  busi- 
ness matters,  which  it  will  take  about  a  mouth  to  arrange  satis- 
factorily; then  I'm  off  for  Richmond." 

"  I'mglad  to  hear  you  say  so — tliat's  the  place !"  cried  the  Major, 
enthusiasti''a]ly,  "tlie  paradise  of  the  world!  The  only  spot  on 
earth  fit  for  a  gentleman  to  live  in!  and  when  I  meet  you  there, 
sir,  I'll  extend  t!ie  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  j'ou,  sir,  as  I've 
always  done !" 

"Thank  you,  Major;  shall  I  see  Jack  there  with  you  f" 

"  Certainly,  sir!  Why  do  you  ask  such  a  foolish  question  ?  Jack 
leave  his  guide,  companion,  tutor, friend ?  No,  sir;  we're  going  to 
open  a  gambiing-houso  in  Kichmond,  and  shall  expect  you  to  drop 
in  upon  us  when  you  arrive." 

Lane  promised  to  do  so.  He  remained  with  us  till  near  sun- 
-  down,  when  the  anxiously  expected  boat  having  put  in  an  appear- 
ance, we  took  our  farewell  of  him  and  got  on  board.  Early  the 
next  morning  the  steamer  touched  at  Marietta;  but  the  Major 
and  myself  confined  ourselves  strictly  to  our  berths,  until  she  had 
started  again  on  her  journey.  In  the  evening  we  reached  Pa*- 
kersburg,  where  we  landed,  and  took  up  our  quarters  at  the  only 
hotel  iu  the  place  for  the  night. 


106 


WAiJDERINGS  OF   A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

"ox  TO   KICUMOND." 

that  name  been  by  EQgl»°'J"  ^       '^^    and  then,  aB 

of  i  Ti^^hrorLLiful  isle,  they  transplanted  U  to  tu^  new 
ofitintnen  m\n  ^ml  bestowed  it  on  that  spot  o;:  the 

n,w  mart  of  slavery,  the  Mecca  of  slave-dealers ;  the  strongnoiu 
rtbetiieracy ;  renowned  for  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
Bieees  in  the  annals  of  butchery. 

Tm;  President,  will  you  favor  one  of  my  friends  with  a  pass 
to  Kichmond  I "  requested  a  grave  senator.  ^ 

"It's  useless,  sir;  I've  already  given  passes  to  .00,0W  meu  to 
go  to  Richmond,  and  they  baven't  got  there. jct,    replied  the 

"^^L^Sf  and  myself  did  not  encounter  so  many  difficulties 
however,  fs  Mr.  Lincoln's  200,000  sold  ers.     Trav^mg  m  the 

slow  coaches  of  the  period,  we  ^^^'^^X'^J'^'^'Z^m 
third  day  after  leaving  Parkersburgh.    It  was  the  middle  ot  ju^ 

len  we  entered  the  place,  and  the  ^««-^«««XmTeCo^ 
just  commencing.    The  slave-traders  were  arnvin^.rom  the  Cot 

ion  States  to  purchase  their  human  ^^^^f^^J' ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
merchants  were  busy  preparing  fi.r  their  fall  «^^     '"^^ 
Pitv  Ais  full  of  strangers  with  plethoric  pumes,  a  fair  snare  oi 
wliUhadnosort^^^  away  a  leisure  hour  m  a 

X'\S  purS'ln  interest  in  a  suit,  of  handsomely  fur- 
nisIedSnlUng-^^^^^^^  in  a  desirable  locatio,.,  for^hichhe^d 
ii  iS  The  eentleman  of  whom  we  bought  retained  a  third 
Kt  i  Jfher  we  entertained  our  custo.ers  wHh  puppet., 
which  were  served  every  night  at  eleven  o  clock  ^jd  also^fur 
nished  them,  gratuicously,  with  liquors  and  cigars.  In  the  couree 


ND. 


sr,  when  the  Welsh 
laud  from  the  head 
How  revered  ha8 
liey  have  cbristcnod 
alaces ;  and  then,  afl 
Jestroy  every  vestige 
lauted'  it  to  tu'  new 
it  on  that  spot  o;:  the 
iidred  years,  was  the 
1  traffic— the  illustri- 
ilers ;  the  stronghold 
the  most  remarkable 

Y  friends  with  a  pass 

sses  to  200,000  men  to 
icre.yet,"  rephed  the 

r  80  many  difficulties, 
•8.  Traveling  in  the 
to  reach  there  on  the 
was  the  middle  of  July 
ilcst  season  there  was 
arriving  'rom  the  Cot- 
ttels,  ai.a  the  tobacco 
r  fall  business.  The 
jurses,  a  fair  share  of 
ivay  a  leisure  hour  in  a 

iiitc  of  handsomely  fur- 
itioii,  for  which  he  paid 
)ugh't  retained  a  third 
astoiiievs  with  suppers, 
o'clock,  and  also  fur- 
ad  cigars.  Inthecouree 


ON  TO  KlCUilOND. 


107 


of  a  few  weelci  we  hna  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  we  were 
doing  as  prosperous  a  business  in  our  line  as  any  house  in  the 
city.  Mr.  Wilson  w;^3  as  popular  with  the  sporting  fraternity  of 
Richmond  as  any  gambling-house  keeper  in  the  city,  and  de- 
servedly -so.  He  was  a  plain,  una.ssur.iing  man,  kind  and  oblig- 
ing, of  polished  manners  and  easy  address.  It  was  his  boast 
that  bo  had  not  an  enemy  in  the  world.  He  was  about  fifty  yeans 
of  age  and  the  father  of  a  grown-up  family,  nd  had  lived  in 
Richmond  nearly  all  his  life.  The  Major  was  also  a  well-known 
character  in  Richmond,  and  an  exceedingly  popular  one  among 
the  card-playing  portion  of  the  city;  so  much  so,  ind  cd,  that  he 
could  easily  have  obtained  an  Interest  in  any  of  the  popular 
Baml)ling-hou.scs  of  the  place,  and  had  he  located  himself  per- 
manently there,  could,  without  doubt,  have  amassed  a  fortune. 
But  his  rambling  proclivities  would  not  permit  him  to  do  so.  Six 
months  or  a  year  was  the  utmost  the  Major  could  be  induced  to 
conflno  himself  to  ''ny  one  place.  But  wherever  he  went  ho  made 
valuable  acquaintances,  especially  araoug  the  gambling  fraterni- 
ty, and  there  was  no  faro-dealer  iu  Richmond  who  had  the  same 
influence  among  the  nejrro-traders  that  the  Major  possessed. 
Numbers  of  these  constmtly  filled  the  city,  and  were  by  far  the 
best  customers  to  the  faro  games.  From  August  to  November 
they  were  incessantly  going  and  coming ;  and  in  the  evenings  c^ur 
rooms  were  thronged  with  them.  They  made  their  headquarters 
at  the  gambling-rooms,  made  appointments  to  meet  their  friends 
there,  and,  being  generally  loaded  with  money,  would  play  liber- 
ally against  the  faro-bank  ;  while  but  in  few  cases  would  one 
win  $500  at  one  sitting,  many  of  them,  during  a  sitting  of  bad 
luck,  would  lose  from  .§  1 ,000  to  $5,000,  some  having  lost  as  high 
as  $20,000  iu  a  single  night.  With  all  their  bad  qualities,  I  never 
knew  a  negro-trader  to  sue  for  money  lost  at  gambling ;  but 
generally  speaking  it  was  not  safe  to  gamble  with  any  of  them 
on  a  credit.  No  class  in  the  South  derived  greater  profits  from 
their  investments  than  the  negro-trader,  and  none  were  held  m 
greater  abhorrence.  In  the  more  northern  Slave  States  their  ad- 
vent on  a  farm  was  a  source  of  unbounded  terror  and  dismay  to 
the  blacks,  to  whom  "  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  trader,  to  be 
sold  down  South,"  was  their  greatest  fear;  a  tfireat  to  that 
efifect  generally  having  the  power  to  reduce  the  most  obdurate 
at  once.    Should  business  call  them  to  a  farm-house,  the  hospi- 


108  WANDERINGS  OF  A  TAGABOifD. 

talities  Of  the  place  were  not  extended  to  them.     The  hand  of 
fSdsht  except  amon«  those  of  their  own  Uk,  never  ^niched 
heh-s     and  brutaUzed  as  they  were  by  then-  homu  trall>c  aM 
callou;  aa  they  became  from  the  cruoUies  attondmg  "l-^t,  t  ey 
still  retained  a  keen  sense  of  their  degradation.      The  sla\c 
b    ederrof  tbe  Border  States,  after  bartering  with  them  his  hu- 
man flesh  for  their  gold,  would  feel  his  reputation  endangered  if 
he  reeognfzed  them  sicially  in  public.     The  lordly  planter, 
whose  laborers  were  supplied  to  him  by  the  trader,  would  com- 
municate with  him  only  through  his  factor,  '^•^^^  ^^  f J^^,;« 
considered  himself  lowered  if  even  seenm  conversation  with  1  un. 
SssocLl  ostracism  had  the  tendency  to  make  them  hate  their 
own  spedes;  and  their  great  object  in  life  was  to  speedly  make 
a  for  une  in  their  nefarious  traffic,  and  withdraw  from  it  as  soon 
L  posSe,  hoping  their  wealth  would  cover  their  f«  sms 
and  give  the.,  a  respectable  position  m  society.     In  manneis 
Sabifs,  and  education,  they  were  but  very  little  arther  advanced 
than  the  most  ignorant  blacks  they  bought  and  sold.     Mobt  of 
them  had  begun  life  as  overseers  on  small  plantations  at  .aUxnes 
varying  from  $500  to  $2,000  per  annwn,  according  to  the  value 
o?Se  place  on  which  they  were  employed,  or  the  duties  entrust- 
ed to  ?hem.     If  they  ever  possessed  a  spark. of  humanity  or 
decency,  their  slave-whipping  profession  in  a  few  years  com- 
pSy  quenched  it,  and  they  learned  and  retained  through 
life  the  low  mean  cunning  which  characterizes  the  negro  slaves 
nder  their  Oiaige.     They  obtained  a  knowledge,  from  the 
nafure  of  thPir  business,  of  the  quaUties  of  negroes:  what  amoun 
of  labo^hey  could  perform,  and  for  what  kinds  they  were  most 
Bdtrwe-  afso  theamount  of  labor  requisite  yearly  on  the  various 
ptntati^ns  or  the  towns  and  cities  adjacent  to  where  they  hved. 
They  a  80  4ade  themselves  acquainted  with  the  chances  which 
Tnhrht  arise  regarding  the  rise  and  fall  of  slave  property.    I  vom 
Sing  rigle  slave'and  selling  at  a  prolit,  they  would,  step  by 
Sfncrease  their  gains,  until  they  had  accumulated  a  sufh- 
cS  fundTo  Justify  Uiem  in  throwing  up  their  -^ua  -n  as  ovoi  - 
seer  and  start  out  on  their  own  hook  as  a  buyer  and  sclli.  of 
humarbehigs.    Thev  would  then  invest  money ;  '.urchasing  in 
SSie  owner  of  some  slave-pen,  or  possibly  gain  the  confidence 
r  some  capitalist,  whose  thin-skinned  scruples  wou'rl  not  perm 
Sm  to  be  publici;  engagedin  such  a  traffic.    They  then  opened 


D. 

n.     The  hand  of 
ilk,  never  touched 
hon-iu  trallic,  and 
iding  upon  it,  they 
,tiou.     The  skivc- 
with  them  his  hu- 
tioQ  endangered  if 
he  lordly  planter, 
radcr,  would  com- 
,  and  would  have 
versation  with  him. 
,ke  them  hate  their 
IS  to  spcedly  make 
[•aw  from  it  as  soon 
•  tl'.eir  former  sins, 
ioty.     In  manners, 
le  farther  advanced 
ind  sold.     Most  of 
uitations,  at  sjalaries 
ording  to  the  value 
r  the  duties  entrust- 
irk  of  humanity  or 
1  a  few  years  com- 
l   retained  through 
zesthe  negro  slaves 
nowledgc,  from  the 
egroes :  what  amount 
Linds  they  were  most 
j-early  on  the  various 
t  to  where  they  lived. 
b  the  chances  which 
ive  property.    From 
,  they  would,  step  by 
accumulated  a  suffl- 
aeu-  situation  as  over- 
k  buyer  and  seller  of 
loney ;  'mi'di" »'"?  in 
)ly  gain  the  confidence 
iples  won' r\  not  permit 
J.    They  then  opened 


ON  TO  EICHilOND. 


109 


a  slave-pen  of  their  own.  To  furnish  these  with  an  assortment 
of  slaves  suitable  for  their  neighborhood;  they  visited  the  great 
slave  mart  of  Richmond  each  summer  and  fall,  tliat  being  sup- 
plied by  the  slave-breeders  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  Delaware, 
eastern  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky. 

It  was   the  custom  of  these  negro-traders,   whenever   they 
bought  a  new  slave,  to  administer  to  him,  as  soon  as  convenient, 
a  doso  of  seventy-five  or  a  hundred  strokes  of  a  paddle.     This 
instrument  was  shaped  similarly  to  tho  bats  used  by  school- 
boys in  playing  ball,  and  about  the  same  size.     It  was  made  of 
tough  oak  wood,  and  was  about  two  inches  in  thickness,  being 
bored  all  over  with  small  gimlet  holes.      Tho  olijoct  of  this  last 
being,  that  when  the  air  was  expelled  through  these  holes  it 
would  draw  the  flesh  up,  causing  a  sharp  stinging  sensation. 
Sometimes  a  rawhide  was  substituted.     When  the  victim  had 
partially  recovered  from  this,  he  was  lashed  up  again,  and  given 
another  flogging.      The  object  of  this  cruelty  being  to  give  him 
a  "healthy  scare,"  as  it  was  termed;  or,  in  plainer  English,  pre- 
pare him  for  his  future  discipline.    "Indulge  a  nigger  at  the 
start,"  they  argued  astutely,  and  he'll  take  advantage  of  your 
kindness,  shuah !    He'll  think  he  can  lie  and  steal  with  impu- 
nity, and  when  you're  compelled  to  whip  him  for  his  dirty  tricks, 
sir,  he'll  cut  away  from  you  the  very  first  chance  ho  gets ;  then 
you've  got  to  keep  on  whipping  him,  just  as  long's  you  own  him. 
Spoils  tho  sale  of  him,  too.     Nobody  wants  to  buy  a  run-away 
nigger!    But  if  you  give  hira  a  "healthy  scare"  to  begin  with, 
you'll  have  no  trouble  afterwards.     This  inhuman   policy   was 
literal!}  carried  out  in  nearly  every  slave-pen  throughout  tlio 
South.      The  .slaves,  wJiile  there,  were  well  fed  and  well  clothed, 
without  being  compelled  to  work,  in  order  to  make  them  look 
sleek,  and  sell  well,  but  were  lashed  unmercifully  in  order  to 
make  their  prison  a  hell  to  them  which  they  could  only  escape- 
by  getting  a  new  master.      Therefore,  whenever  a  customer  en- 
tered the  pen,  these  unfortunates,  being  drawn  up  in  line  for 
inspection,  would  cry  out,    "  Buy  me,  masser ;  I'se  wants  to  hb 
wid  ye;"  or,  "I'se  a  good  hand  for  dat  ar'  work,  massa,"  at  the 
same  time  furtively  watching  the  eye  of  the  negro-trader,  to  see 
wliether  their  acticmswero  approved  by  him.    Tlie  most  misera- 
ble period  of  a  slave's  existence  was  when  he  was  left  to  the 
tender  mercies  of  the  trader. 


no  WAXDKniNGS  OF  A  VAOABOKD. 

While  in  Richmond  I  frequently  attended  sales  r.:  slaves 
when  would  bo  cngrcgalcl  swarms  of  traders  from  the  Cotton 
Itati  The  dcsi'iirrng  faces  and  heart-rending  cries  of  ho 
noor  vrctcl  S,  huddled  about  the  auctioneer's  stand,  as  the  de- 
St  oSe  hammer  tore  asunder  wives  and  lu>. -ds  iw  n  s 
nnri  phildrcn  fouud  no  throb  of  sympathy  in  the  preasia  ui 
?;^nl,      human  Sds.    I  cannot  recollect  ever  hearing  one  of 

wouiu  uiy.  ovDcnse  of  the  poor  wretches,  who  had  no 

expressions,  at  tue  cxptuao  ui  vuv  t-  „„.,i,i 

mwer  to  prevent  them  from  doing  what  they  would. 
^Sno  day Tbeautiful  quadroon  girl  of  eighteen  or  nineteen 
w-S  placed  on  the  block  to  be  scM ;  her  appearance  created  a 
Sd  sensation.  She  had  been  torn  from  her  home  by  he 
sheriff  and  put  under  the  auctioneer's  hammer  to  sat  s^y  the 
creditors  of  her  deceased  master  and  father.  The  girl  was  in 
iy    Evidently  tenderly  raised,  the  tears  of  shame  and  morti- 

arras  or  even  her  limbs,  ostensibly  to  ascertain  if  the  article  on 
ZZlZ  perfect  in  wind  and  limb.  At  these  she  would  dart  an 
indignXlance  and  get  farther  back  behind  the  auctioneer, 

her  beautiful  face  crimson.  ^  ., ,  „  ^!«,  bi,  mallet 

"  Gentlemen,"  cried  the  auctioneer,  stnking  with  his  mallet 

readinff  writing,  geography  and  arithmetic,  and  a  so  all  the 
dutts  Vhousfkefping.     She  can  also  play  the  piano  beau- 

^'^^'c'hrist!"  roared  one  of  the  bystanders  "are  we  expected  lo 
buy  all  that  ar'  larnin'  an'  music,  'long  with  the  galT 

.'She'll  swing  high  for  a  mistress  for  some  o' them  parley 
vous'down  there  in  New  Orleans!"  said  another. 

-Can^  ye  take  her  in,  Doddsl"  querieda  dimmutiva  swarthy- 
faced  dealer  ft-om  Georgia. 


»ND. 

led  sales  cC  slaves, 
crs  from  the  Cotton 
•ending  cries  of  the 
r's  stand,  as  tbe  dc- 
li  husbands,  parents 
y  in  the  breasts  of 
ever  hearing  one  of 
a  question  in  a  kind 
auctioneer,  or  do  tho 
n  the  contrary,  they 
jscene  and  scurrilous 
rretches,  who  had  no 
ey  would. 

eighteen  or  nineteen 
ippearanco  created  a 
om  her  homo  by  the 
iramer,  to  satisfy  the 
her.     The  girl  was  in 
8  of  shame  and  morti- 
8he   tried  to   shrink 
rilous  remarks  of  tho 
.  then  one  more  bold 
take  hold  of  hers,  her 
ertain  if  the  article  on 
Bse  she  would  dart  an 
»ehind  tbe  auctioneer, 

iking  with  his  mallet 

shall  now  offer  you  a 

eighteen  years  of  age, 

tally.  She  understands 

letic,  and  also  all  the 

play  the  piano  beau- 

rs,  "are  we  expected  Ic- 

ith  the  gait" 

p  some  o'  them  '  parley 

id  another. 

da  duninutiva  swarthy- 


1 


ON  TO  RIcaMOlTD. 


Ill 


"  Too  much  on  the  weepin'  wilier  order  for  my  cash,"  respond- 
ed tho  corpulent  individual  with  a  bloated  face  addressed  as 
Do(hl. 

"A  couple  o'  dozen  with  a  rawhide  'II  damn  soon  fetch  that 
ar'  all  right,  and  bring  her  into  the  traces,  and  I'm  just  tlio  man 
to  do  it,"  responder"  another  voice  from  the  crowd. 

"You've  bit  it  there  Gibbs,  'cos  she  ain't  never  had  the  skin 
cracked  on  her  yet,"  sung  out  another  worthy. 

But  tho  bidding  for  Alice  now  becoming  very  spirited,  all  tho 
traders  bidding,  she  ascended  rapidly  in  price,  from  four  hundred 
dollars  to  eleven  hundred.  Dodd,  of  the  bloated  frontispiece,  who 
was  from  New  Orleans,  had  tho  call.  I  had  become  much  inter- 
ested in  the  girl.  Her  modest  demeanor  and  her  uncontrollable 
distress  so  affected  me  that  I  resolved  that,  sooner  than  fall 
into  the  hands  of  those  brutes,  I  would  bid  flffcen  hundred  for 
her,  and  send  her  to  my  foster-mother,  should  I  be  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  have  her  knocked  down  to  me.  Happily,  I  was  re- 
lieved of  such  a  burden,  and  enabled  to  save  my  money,  to  say 
nothing  of  escaping  from  the  ridiculous  position  in  which  such  a 
course  would  have  placed  me,  by  having  my  motives  falsely 
construed.  A  new  competitor  now  appeared  on  the  scene,  and 
commenced  to  contest  the  prize  vigorously  with  the  slave-deal- 
ers. He  was  a  merchant  of  well-known  rtspoctability,  who  was 
influenced  by  some  of  her  late  father's  f:  itads  to  secure  her. 
The  trader  who  was  now  certain  of  his  yrey  had  just  bidden 
$1,250,  when  the  merchant  put  in  his  bid  of  $1,300,  and  was 
declared  the  owner  of  Alice;  a  remarkably  heavy  sum  for  a 
slave  to  fetch  in  those  days. 

The  gambling-rooms  of  Richmond,  as  I  said  before, '  ere  the 
pecuUar  "  stamping-ground"  of  these  gentry,  during  theii-  leisure 
hours.  The  excitement  attendant  upon  seeing  and  participat- 
ing in  the  games  helped  to  while  away  some  of  those  weaiy 
hours  which  hung  so  heavily  on  their  hands  from  the  time  bus- 
iness closed  for  them  until  it  was  time  for  them  to  seek  their 
several  virtuous  couches.  They  were  our  principal  customers, 
and  our  best  ones. 

Lane  arrived  in  Richmond  a  few  weeks  after  us,  and  was 
given  an  interest  in  the  bank.  He  and  I  did  the  dealing  prin- 
cipally, assisted  at  intervals,  if  we  desired,  by  Mr.  Wilson  or 
the  Major.  These  latter  gentlemen  attended  to  the  entertainment 
of  our  guests,  and  to  the  management  of  the  business  in  general. 


'gy*^.ytf''.Mi^--^,:'t^'JV^^^y>^^-VJ-- 


\ 


■WANRERINOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


118 

From  the  bo-innins  cf  H'o  momh  cf  AuRUst,  up  to  tho  close  of 
tho  To  inc  an"  in  U'-'  "•"l-U.  nf  Noveu.l.er,  Lauo  and  myself 
To,     .?t    nirouiittin-  xvoik,  with  not  a  raon.ent  to  spare. 
Sntto""""  :^>U'l.  w-  -,r  busiest  t-  the  Major 
1  d  no-t  cm.  n..ar  .ho  roon,.  but  devoted  his  tlmo  and  at  e^^^^^^^^^^ 
Bolclv  to  the  turf  an.l  turfmen.     ITorse-nuMnK  was  a  ^^(Mlv^ess 
of  the  Alaor's;   he  ;vas  posted  up  in  the  pedigree  «t   every 
tlon-Sed  horse  which  had  nu.de  his  mark  cm  tho  tttrf  )n  h.s 
tl    e  ^id  pa  ticularlv  ac.,uainted  with  every  great  race  that  bad 
b    n  r^in  the  country  since  the  time  when  Eclipse  and  Henry 
Sendod  for  tho  hon<.rs  of  the  turf  «"  , ;-«  ^^^^.^^^ 
noted  turfmen  as  Col.  Wm.  11.  Johnson,  Mr.  John  t.  bte^ens 
J   u  CroS  and  others  of  that  ilk,  were  <^-!-«  •Vnod'ofre 

the  Major.    And  he  would  sooner  have  received  '-^  ""f^  «     «; 

co°,iit  onfr(,m  one  of  them  than  from  the  "Hempevor  of  hall  the 

Koosh  as  "  had  he  been  standing  before  him,  on  his  own  tey  soil. 
The  Major  backed  what  he  supposed  to  be  t^o  wnnnng  hor^e. 

on  every  available  occasion ;  but,  like  many  another  of  his  pro- 

?essbn,  generally  camo  to  grief,  and  left  tho  course  a  sadder,  if 

not  a  wiser  man. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 
THE  HORSE. 

Many  philosophers  groping  far  down  into  tho  «iist9  of  time 
foi  the  origin  of  tho  horse,  would  have  us  believe  the  eaith 
was    eplenihed  with  horses,  as  it  was  repoptdated  J^'th  me^ 
from  those  which  were  saved  in  the  ark  commanded  by  Capta m 
Sh     ami  as  the  Captain  discharged  his  cargo  somewhe  e  in 
Hie  reg  o  1  of  Mesopotamia,  and  near  the  head-waters  ot    he 
'igrisS  Euphrates,  they  insist,  with  tbeir  ustia   P^ilmacty 
that  from  that  country  emanated  the  eqmno  ^'"f  ^^J'  ^f  ^^  f  ^^ 
scendants  are  found  at  the  present  day  on  "^f  ^  f  J";^,;! 
the  known  globe.    These  learned  sages  have  based  their  opm- 
ons^nrely  oiTbiblieal  authority,  which  informs  -  thf  w^^^^ 
Joseph,  of  the  "coat  of  many  colors,"  splurged  it  so  extens^ely 
in  that  sacred  land  of  cats  and  onions,  that  the  hors«  ^s^we  " 
known  in  Egypt.  We  are  also  informed,  by  the  way,  that  the  ht- 


3t,  up  to  tho  close  of 
!!•,  Lauo  and  niysolf 
%  moniont  to  spare, 
iest  time,  tho  :Major 
s  time  and  attention 
■\u<;  was  a  wenknosa 
0  pediprpo  of  every 
irk  on  tho  tnrf  in  his 
y  great  race  that  had 
n  Eclipse  and  Henry 
Long  Island.    Such 
,Ir.  John  C.  Stevens, 
deities  in  the  eyes  of 
•eceived  a  nod  of  re- 
'  Hempevor  of  hall  the 
11,  on  his  own  icy  soil, 
be  the  winning  horse, 
iiy  another  of  his  pro- 
;lio  course  a  sadder,  if 


I. 


into  the  mists  of  time, 
)  us  believe  the  earth 
repopulated  with  men, 
;ommanded  by  Captain 
lis  cargo  somewhere  in 
:he  head-waters  of  the 
their  usual  pertinacity, 
(luino  breed,  whose  de- 
on  nearly  every  part  of 
have  based  their  opin- 
li  informs  us  that  when 
ilurgcd  it  so  extensively 
that  the  horse  was  well- 
by  the  way,  that  the  lit- 


TiiK  uonsE. 


J13 


tie  game  of  "cornering,"  so  frequently  practiced  in  Wall  street, 
was  well-known  to  tho  pious  Josepli.  Ho  "cornered"  all  tiio 
corn  in  the.  country,  and  coinpflled  tlie  starviiit;  inliiihitants  to 
excliango  for  it  tiicir  Hocks  and  lierds  and  lioiisrs  and  lands. 
Holy  writ  also  makes  us  ac(iuaintcd  with  the  fact  that,  long  after 
tho  death  of  Josepli,  ills  countrymen  were  driven  into  tho  Hed 
Sea  liy  tlio  K},ryptian  cavalry,  and  that  by  this  speculation  E;,'ypt 
lost  many  men  as  well  as  horses. 

That  warbling  maniac,  Ilahakkuk,  ulbrms  us  that  tho  Chal- 
deans had  horses  swifter  than  leopards  and  fiercer  than  even- 
ing wolves,  leaving  us  to  infer  tliat  leopards  were,  in  the  time 
of  that  prophet,  exceedingly  swift  of  foot,  and  that  evening 
wolves  were  more  fierce  than  morning  animals  of  that  species. 

We  arc  not  compelled  by  any  means  to  rely  solely  on  the 
IJible  for  evidence  of  tho  anticuity  of  the  horse.  Tho  sculptures 
excavated  from  tho  ruins  of  Assyria,  Persia,  and  Egypt,  many  of 
which  represent,  in  has  relief,  tliose  animals  engaged  in  tiie  chase, 
in  labor,  and  in  battle,  inform  us  tliat  tlie  equine  breed  have 
been  the  friends  and  companicms  of  men  in  those  conntriesas  far 
back  as  their  annals  extend.  Herodotus  and  Zeno[ili()n  de- 
scribed the  fine  qualities,  and  mention  tho  abundance  of  horses 
possessed  by  the  Assyrians,  Egyptians,  and  Persians.  Tho 
Greeks  inform  us  they  received  the  horse  from  the  I-Iu'.n  ptians,  but 
do  not  mention  at  what  jicriod.  Perhaps  they  were  unable  to 
do  so.  Homer  speaks  of  horses  being  used  at  the  siege  of  Troy, 
but  the  bard  places  them  in  front  of  chariots,  never  under  the 
saddle.  The  Greeks  contend  that  the  Romans  owe  the  Iiorse  to 
them ;  that  they  introduced  it  among  them,  and  taught  tlieni 
how  to  ride  it.  If  so,  the  llomans  ])roved  themselves  worthy  of 
the  gift,  for  in  horsemanship  they  were  second  to  none.  Tlie 
Carthagenians,  we  are  told,  brought  hors"s  into  S[)ain  and  Sicily, 
from  whence  they  could  easily  be  dispersed  through  Western* 
Europe. 

Stubborn  people  exist,  who  believe,  contrary  to  the  received 
orthodox  opinion,  that  the  horse  was  originally  a  nati-'"  of 
Europe,  and  also  that  portion  of  Asia  which  lies  oast  )f  tho 
Ural  ^lountain  chain.  These  cavilers  contend  that  horses  were 
imported  at  various  times  into  Europe,  by  the  Colts,  Saxons, 
Teut(ms,  Cimbri  and  Huns,  wlio  mii;rated  from  the  great  stejipes 
of  Asia,  a  region  abounding  in  horses.    These,  passing  into  Eu- 


H4  WANDEBIN08  OF  A  VAOADOlfD. 

rone  took  with  them  their  shaRRy  and  robust  little  horses  and 
I^  time  thcVc  receivLiK  l^ottrr  cam.  the  more  st.mulatmg  climate 
SX  nS  Together  ^vith  fre.,ueMt  croHsing  on  the  native 
breedl   prlcera  larger,  n.orc  powerful,  and  In  every  way 

'"Cv'tbinr'also,  that  the  countries  lying  west  and  south  of 
JSS  Sci  also  principally  derived  f^-^-^^^l^^ZZ 

sr  ss^^  ^  ----  s^j^Stjj;! 

lpr«  broucM  bv  the  way  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  west;  and  from 
ZLTiTi^^lXy^^^,  Egypt,  and  «--  and  by  a.^^^^ 
gamatlon  with  the  native  breeds,  became  light,  graceful,  and 

'^If  ?"know  little  or  nothing  about  these  matters  I  shall  dls- 
pute  none  oTthose  things,  but  leave  tl-sc  interested  to  sqvmbWe 
Tout  amongst  themselves.  Authentic  history  asscr  that  he 
Celtic.  Belgfc,  German,  and  British  tHbes  ^^^^^^J^^^ 

,^it1i   1inra«a  at.  thO   InVaSlOU  of  Julius  tiLbai.       x  uu  *» 

of  white  horses  which  were  sacriOccd  to  their  gods. 
From  Sn  have  come  finer  breeds  of  horses  than  any  other 

Sed  breSwas  cultivated  under  the  Cahphs,  and  ronde  od 
SX  mo'e  perfect,  m   speed,  beauty,  and  endurance,^^^^ 
^tv,»r  tnnwTi  brccd     Thls  was  accomplished  by  careuuiy 
SlnfoutlioTnoB  tsu^^^^^^  and  stallions  for  breeding 

culhng  out  tnoraosi,      i  ^^  training  of 

ST„d  Xm  ..  ng  tbe^  «  £r  ,xeepf  under  the  — le. 

nl.  m„r»?hL  pXbte  tbat  m.  nation  could  have  Buccocdod  bo 

nTLth^Ambs    The.  teed  tlioir  horses;  they  were  tbcir 

I^nalty   When  strloken  from  thesaddle,  amid  the  .mle  and  car- 


I.. 


>ND. 

9t  little  horses,  and 
I  stimulating  climate 
ising  on  tlio  native 
,  and  In  every  way 

ft  west  and  fiouth  of 
heir  horses  from  the 
that  a  trade  of  thlH 
J  era,  and  that  horses 
Sea,  west ;  and  from 
recce,  and,  by  amal- 
)  light,  graceful,  and 

matters,  I  shall  dls- 
utcrcsted  to  squabble 
story  asserts  that  the 
3  were  well  supplied 
,r.  The  Remans  also 
vlan  tribes  who  wor- 
rescrvatloua"  a  breed 
loir  gods. 

horses  than  any  other 
ago  they  obtained  the 
ho  long  sojourn  of  the 
1  cultivated  the  Arab 
tituries  this  latter  cele- 
Caliphs,  and  rendered 
,  and  endurance,  than 
ampllshed  by  carefully 

stallions  for  breeding 
jarlng  and  training  of 
scept  under  the  saddle, 
ould  have  succeeded  so 
horses;  they  were  thehr 
atures  more  thoroughly; 
lalf  to  bring  him  to  his 
he  Crusades,  these  light 
savacen  masters  beyond 
3uld  else  have  paid  the 
,  amid  the  strife  andcar- 


THE  UORSE. 


11  :> 


nago  of  battle,  the  generous  beast  would  not  desert  his  master, 
but  would  remain  until  consciousness  returned,  and  ho  feebly 
crawled  into  his  saddle,  when  the  good  horse,  with  the  speed  of 
the  wind,  would  carry  him  away  to  a  jilace  of  safety.  Tlicy  wore, 
however,  unable  to  stand  the  shock  of  battle  with  the  heavy 
beasts  whicli  bore  tlie  English  knights,  even  when  tlicy  out- 
numbered them  ten  to  one. 

The  returniug  Crusaders  brought  with  them  many  of  these 
beautiful  steeds  to  Europe,  to  cross  on  their  own  breeds,  and  which, 
no  doubt,  laid  the  foundation  for  those  superior  .animals  which 
are  raised  there  at  the  present  day.  Ever  since  the  horse  has 
been  subjected  to  the  will  of  man,  and  taught  to  do  his  bidding, 
it  Is  probable  that  ho  has  made  his  speed  to  minister  to  his  pas- 
time, trials  of  speed  having  been  popular  from  their  earliest  ac- 
quaintance with  the  animal,  and  having  outlasted  all  amusements 
then  popular,  except  the  chase  or  athletic  H])orts.  Horse-racing 
was  a  regular  part  of  the  pastimes  of  tlie  Greeks  and  Romans, 
and  at  the  Olympic  games  purses  wore  given  to  winning  honses ; 
but  what  these  ])eoplo  chiefly  deligiited  in  was  chariot-racing,  of 
which  numberless  accounts  are  extant.  We  have,  however,  no 
direct  proof  that  these  nations  paid  any  attention  to  improving 
the  speed  of  their  horses.  Though  Ilerodotus  tells  un  horses 
were  plentiful  among  the  Assyrians,  Medes,  rersiaus, and  Eg:p- 
tians,  yet  we  do  not  need  his  assurance  of  that  fact,  for  we  see 
them  plentifully  displayed  at  the  present  time,  on  the  monuments 
and  other  sculptures  excavated  from  their  ruined  cities.  Why  is 
it  not  more  than  probable  that  horse-racing  was  one  of  their 
amusements  f 

The  Greeks  and  Romans  considered  the  Persians  the  best 
horsemen  in  the  world,  and  if  we  are  to  believe  them,  every  man 
in  that  vast  empire  rode  on  horseback.  Luckily,  we  are  not 
compelled  to  swallow  everything  they  have  handed  down  to  usT 
It  is,  however,  highly  reasonable  to  suppose  that,  among  nations 
where  horses  were  so  plentiful,  racing  would  he  a  popular  amuse- 
ment. No  record  is  handed  down  to  that  effect,  and  we  have  as 
much  warrant  to  opine  that  the  diflerent  Tartar  tribes  inhabiting 
Central  Asia  and  Europe,  and  who  at  times  swept  over  these 
countries  under  Attila,  Arphad,  or  Tenghis  Kahn,  and  Tamer- 
lane, also  amused  themselves  with  horse-racing,  as  well  as  murder- 
ing and  pillaging.    Those  freebooters  were  always  on  horse- 


'I'  .t^-jje^jjivi^*^*^  w^i' 


116 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAG  \DOND. 


been  in.i.ro\  od.    »  \;  ''•;''"   l^^s  were  ul  tliat  ti.uo  unUn.nvi.  in 
that  country  ^ -^'":;«;';  ^J  r       X.  "  ^^-rios  constantly 

Sn  likely  that  t^.o  -i.lU.,.;...  n^^- c.  L.     .  .^^^ 

PorHla.abounain^  n,  ^'"'^^J';  "J  ?,        „  'X,    i„  „„  otlu'r  ^vay. 
Bonio  fron.  their  ene.mes  if  ^^'^^    «\^  ■  ."^  ^  „  i„,  ,,.„,,ssion 

tost.    John  Chinaman  prclera  to  I'^f^.^'V  \,  „  ititi'ui  "niorra," 
.hoss,draught.  ^^^^'^-^^^ '^^^^:t^y  S  of 

,.        „  ,.,„-ni  inhnr   The  L'ovommcntom plnjatnciu, 


oity  wcro  frequently 

ii«  Ifiive  si)L'ciiliit'ii)n, 
>(1  tlKMuUivccimiilry 

H'tiU  ln-nUK'l''  '"  ''"^ 
ever  iMiiuilt'il  tlm.so, 
«,  tlocility  of  itMiipor, 
liiotly  Ity  crossing  Iho 
ia,  limt  the  sldfk  luiH 
,lio  beKiiuiiiiK  <»r  tlio 
:liat  tiiuo  unUiiowiiiu 
.licvc— for  tho  Arabs 

robberies  coiistiiiUly 
li'8,  aiulit  Hcciusi.ioro 

of  Kiiypt,  Syria.  uikI 
\o  iit  least  captured 
liciii  in  no  otlier  way. 
en  into  tho  posspssion 
lUn-  or  more  fostering 
ovo  his  loolw,  speed, 
wncrs  of  horses  anion)? 
tluiir  animals  far  baek 
10  fu'st  country  on  tho 
iicouraKed.and  prizes 
\vu8  really  tho  founda- 

f  tho  population  of  tho 
D  inveterate  Rainesters 
speakins,  about  horse- 
breed  of  horses  exists, 
10  Held,  and  under  tho 
,  and  seldom  put  to  tho 
i  money  at  cards,  dice, 
totholtiliiiu"inorra," 
is  inordinately  fond  of 
I  crickets, -grasshoppers, 
icaico,andaronot  even 
•ornment  employathcra, 
ouR-hout  tho  empire,  to 
ollicials.     Those  horses 
ire  unable  to  endure  the 


THE   IIOKHE. 


117 


heat  of  tho  south  nioro  than  a  few  years,  when  they  lose  their 
streni,'tli  and  become  completely  unserviceable.  The  ^roat  rivers 
and  lakes,  together  with  their  nuiiiemus  canals,  in  a  trreat 
measure  relieve  the  Cliineso  from  tln'  uocorfeiiy  for  thu  Borvicud 
of  tho  noblest  of  tho  lautu  uruuliou. 

UACRUM. 

It  la  to  Fngland  that  wo  are  Indebted  for  race  horses,  and  our 
present  system  of  racing.  Fino  breeds  from  Spain  and  Arabia 
have  been  imported  Into  that  country  during  the  last  four 
centuries.  Tersla  and  the  IJarbary  States  have  also  yielded 
their  best  mares  and  horses,  wliieli  were  brought  to  England  to 
improve  the  native  stock  by  amalgamation.  During  the  days  of 
chivalry,  speed  was  not  reipiired  ;  strentitli  only  was  soiiudit  for: 
to  carry  the  rider  and  liis  ponderous  harness  of  mail.  Ily  tho 
time  the  Tndors  ceased  to  reign  over  i^ngiaiid,  the  hereditary 
land-owners  had  recovered  from  the  elVectsof  the  cruel  and  de- 
vastating wars  of  the  Plantaganets;  anil  tlio  chase,  which  had 
for  a  long  time  fallen  into  disuse,  was  revived.  Tiiey  vied  with 
each  other  in  cultivating  the  qualities  of  speetl  and  enduranco 
in  their  hunters.  A  new  era  was  oiiened  for  tho  horso :  speed 
and  beauty  were  retpiired  in  him,  to  render  him  suitable  to 
minister  to  tho  amusements  of  the  i)eople.  In  the  reign  of.Iamos 
I.  wo  llnd  that  several  private  matches  were  run  for  heavy 
wagers;  the  owners  of  the  horses  acting  as  their  own  jockeys. 
This  kind  of  sporting  rapidly  increased  in  favor  with  the  public. 
In  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  race-courses  were  built  at  Xewmarket 
and  at  Ilyde  Park.  It  was  during  his  reign  that  the  custom 
wirs  established  of  runiii  ig  for  cu]is,  instead  of  money,  a 
precedent  which  has  l)een  followuil  up  to  the  iiresent  day. 
During  the  reign  of  Charles  H.,  the  sports  of  tho  turf  wore  on-" 
couraged,  and  liecamo  national.  The  Codolpliin  Arabian  was 
imported  in  the  reign  of  George  II.  This  world-wide  celebiity 
vas  the  ancestor  of  some  of  tlie  best  thoroULjh-bred  racers  iho 
world  has  over  jiroduced  ;  and  those  who  are  learned  in  horse- 
flesh are  of  tho  opinion  that  there  has  never  existed  a  trotter, 
worthy  of  the  name,  wlio  was  not  a  dosciMidant  )f  the  (Jodolphin 
Arabian.  It  is  said  this  noble  animal  was  a  present  from  tho 
Emperor  of  Morocco  to  Louis  XIV.,  and,  after  tho  death  of  that 


N^"-wiTi*^|J'*r" 


118 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


monarch,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English ;  but  there  are  many 
conflicting  opinions  on  the  subject.  *,    ^  *i  „ 

Tvvasalso  during  ihe  reign  of  the  second  George  that  the 
celebrated  Flying  Childers  made  his  appearance;  the  best  race- 
Torse  England  ever  had,  ..d  perhaps  the  best  th.  world  ever 
Lw  He' was  never  beaten,  and  at  Newmarket  ran  three  mile, 
six  furlongs,  and  nmety-six  yards,   in  six  minutes  and  four 

''Tbout  the  same  time  saw  the  celebrated  EngHsh    ?clipse^ 
This  remarkable  horse  won  for  his  owner  over  $100,000,  and 
was  the  progenitor  of  334  winners  of  the  turf.    All  nations  seek- 
ing the  "thorough-bred"  racer-which  means,  m  English  par- 
lance, one  whose  pedigree  can  be  traced,  without  a  stain,  for  eigW 
generations,  ending  with  horses  of  eastern  origin-the  C-^dolphm 
Arabian,  Byerly  Turk,  or  the  Darby  Arabian-had  to  seek  hem 
on  the  soil  of  England.    She  possesses  five  times,  f  /east  the 
amount  of  thorough-breds  more  .ban  the  balance  of  the  world 
and  haa  race-meetings  at  least   once  a  week  «"-«"g^°"5  ^^'J 
entire  year,  with  the  exception  of  about  six  weeks  in  the  depth 
of  winter.     During  the  meetings  at  Derby  and  Newmarket 
mcro  money  changes  hands  than  at  all  the  race-meotings  in  the 
United  States  during  the  year.    The  race-courses  are  attended 
by  all  classes  of  people,  and  are  opened  to  the  public  iree  of 
charge,  except  the  grand  stands,  to  which  admittance  may  bt 
had  for  a  few  shillings.     There  is  no  distinction ;  the  same  price 
carries  thC  peasant  as  well  as  the  prince  to  any  part  of  the 
course  where  spectators  are  allowed.    What  a  contrast  to  the 
snobocracy   of  America!      The   slaveholding    aristocracy    of 
Charleston  and  New  Orleans,  of  whom  wero  composed  the  racing 
a^ociations  in  those  cities,  caused  magnificent  stands  to  be 
erected  for  themselves  and  families,  and  their  invited  guests 
None  of  their  plebeian  countrymen  were  admitted  to  them.    .   m 
later,  when  the  slaveocracy  were  overthrown,  the  shoduj,  ^. 
tocracy,  comprising  the  Jerome  Park  Racing  Association,  near 
New  York,  seized  on  half  the  grand  stand,  which  was  splendidlj 
flttpd  up,  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  lords  of  wealth,     liiey 
had  also  a  fancy  castle  built,  on  a  knoll  nearly  opposite  the 
erand  stand,  with  coffee-houses,    restaurants,  etc.,   attacheii. 
Within  this  hallowed  precinct,  none  but  the  shoddyites  and  their 
invited  guests  might  venture.    What  are  we  coming  to  m  this 
free  PepubUc  ? 


J 


lBOND. 

li ;  but  there  are  many 

icond  George  that  the 
sarance;  the  best  race- 
e  best  the  world  ever 
market  ran  three  miles, 
six  minutes  and  four 

•ited  English  Eclipse, 
ler  over  $100,000,  and 
turf.  All  nations  seek- 
means,  in  English  par- 
without  astaiu,  for  eight 
n  origin— the  Gf.dolphin 
bian— had  to  seek  them 
five  times,  at  least,  the 
le  balance  of  the  world, 
I  week  throughout  the 

six  weeks  in  the  depth 
Derby  and  Newmarket, 
the  race-meetings  in  the 
,ce-courses  are  attended 
d  to  the  public  free  of 
hich  admittance  may  bt 
itinction ;  the  same  price 
nee  to  any  part  of  the 

What  a  contrast  to  the 
eholding    aristocracy    of 
ivero  composed  the  racing 
lagniflcent  stands  to  be 
,nd  their  invited  guests. 
p  admitted  to  them.    P+iU 
;hrown,  the  shoddy  ^^:  ■ 
Racing  Association,  near 
md,  which  was  splendidly 
3  lords  of  wealth.    They 
cnoU  nearly  opposite  the 
itaurants,  etc.,   attached, 
t  the  shoddyites  and  their 
are  we  coming  to  in  this 


THK   UOliSK. 


THE    HORSE    IX     AilEEICA 


119 


Was  unknown  before  1493,  when  Columbus,  on  his  second  voyage, 
brought  several  with  him  to  the  West  Indies.  About  1519 
the  horse  was  introduced  into  Aloxico  by  Cortcz,  and  in 
1530  into  Peru,  by  Pizarro.  In  1527  a  Spanisli  vessel  in  distress, 
laden  with  horses,  landed  on  the  coast  of  Florida.  They  were 
taken  on  shore,  from  whence  they  made  their  escape  into  the 
wilderness,  where  they  became  wild,  multiplied,  and  spread 
themselves  over  the  vast  region  known  as  the  Southern  States, 
and  far  over  the  wild  prairies,  to  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 
From  among  those  introduced  into  Mexico  by  the  Spaniards  in 
the  time  of  Cortez,  several  escaped  and  becaiuo  wild ;  and  their 
descendants  spread  themselves  over  the  North  and  East,  so  that, 
in  course  of  time,  the  Indian  tribes  wee  abundantly  supplied 
with  horses.  The  descendants  of  those  introduced  into  South 
America  by  tlie  Spaniards— many  of  them  escaped  from  the 
control  of  man— increased  in  niunl)ers  in  their  wild  state,  until 
they  can  be  seen  in  droves  of  tens  of  thousands,  on  the  immense 
llanos  that  stretch  along  the  Orinoco  and  the  Amazon,  and  also 
on  the  pampas  extending  from  the  Rio  de  la  Plata  to  the  confines 
of  Pa;,agonia.  The  color  of  the  American  wild  horse  is  chestnut ; 
but  "  pintos,"  oi  spotted  horses,  are  found  among  them  in 
abundance.  All  wild  horses  of  Spanish  origin,  whetlier  in  North 
or  South  America,  come  under  the  appellation  of  mustang,  and 
are  imbued  with  the  Numidiau  and  Arab  blood.  Tlicse  are 
small,  but  hardy,  and  easily  sustained,  besides  being  capable  of 
great  endurance  under  the  saddle,  having  been  frequently  ridden 
a  hundred  miles  in  a  day.  Many  of  them  possess  great  speed, 
from  five  hundred  to  one  thousand  yards,  but  scarcely  any  of 
them  were  ever  known  to  last  a  mile. 

THOBOTTGH-BREDf?    OF    AMERICA.  "* 

We  are  informed  that  early  in  the  eigliteenth  century  thorough- 
breds were  brought  from  England  to  America,  and  shortly  after- 
wards their  breeding  was  encouraged  by  legislative  enactment. 
It  is  probable  they  were  first  introduced  by  officials  sent  out  to 
rule  over  the  colonies.  Virginia  had  been  regarded  as  the  race 
region  of  America,  and  her  ascendency  on  the  turf  was  decided  ; 
so  much  so,  that  from  time  to  time  many  of  her  racers  were 


ISO 


WAXDEIUNGS   OF   A    VAiiAllOND. 


bouffht  bv  the  colonies  of  Now  York,  Pennsylvania,  Now  Jersey, 
an.l  the  Carolinas,  and  transferred  to  tlieir  own  boraors.      n  this 
vay,  competition  was  l.e-ot  and  fosterc.l  thron-hout  the  length 
and  l.rcadth  of  the  land,  and  a  fancy  for  turf  sportui-  mcveased 
^vlth  the  wealth  and  increase  of  the  people.     It  is  natural  Vj 
suppose  that  owners  of  lai-e  plantations  worked  by  slave-  ahor, 
fond  of  the  eha.se  and  all  kinds  of  Held  sports,  should  devote 
their  attention  to  the  raising  of  line  breeds  of  horst-s    more 
esnecially  as  the  cultivation  of  the  racer  had  already  become 
popular  with  the  gentry  -n  England.    They  found  this  cuunlry, 
in  soil  and  climate,  particularly  adapted  to  breediiig  and  raising 
of  thorough-breds;  tluis  the  South,  and  afterwards  the  South- 
west, became  the  home  of  the  raco-horsc.    It  is  true  the  tetatcs 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  have  bred,  trained,  and  run.  some 
cf  the  best  race-horses  tins  country  has  ever  produced;  but  the 
inhabitants  of  the  South  and  Southwest  were  an  ngvi cultural 
people,  and  from  their  planters  and  stock-raisers  sprung  a  largo 
maioritv  of  the  turfmen  who  established  and  perpetuated  racing 
in  this  "country.     These  men  were  in  very  many  cases  among 
the  most  respected  citizens  in  their  States,  and  in  their  ranks 
might   be  fomid  statesmen,   lawyers,  doctors,  merchants    and 
planters.    It  was  this  fact  which  made  racing'popular  with  the 
people,  and  in  no  part  of  the  country  did  it  take  such  a  hold  on 
the  masses  as  in  the  States  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  Kentucky, 
Tennessee,  Louisiana,  and  ."uuth  Carolina. 

The  era  of  racing  in  America  is  said  to  have  commenced  in 
1734     Four  years  previous.  Bull  Uock,  a  son  of  the  Darby  Ara- 
bian, was  imported  from  England,  and,  from  time  to  time,  for 
more  than  a  century,  :>ewb!ood  wasinfused  into  our  racers  l^'  he 
best  stock  which  could  be  procured  from  that  country.    17 J4  is 
supposed  to  be  the  date  of  the  first  race  for  a  prize-a  saddle  and 
bridle  valued  at  £20 ;  mile  heats,  four  entries.    The  altair  took 
place  near  the  citv  of  Charleston;  a  course  was  staked  out  lor  tlie 
occasion,  to  which  the  name  of  "York  Cour.se  "  was  given.  From 
year  to  vear  racing  over  this  course  was  continued  in  February 
or  March,  and  the  prizes  given  were  usually  a  silver  bowl,  taiik- 
ard,  or  waiter,  about  the  value  of  X 100.    In  .  7r,4  another  course 
was  established  near  the  same  city,  which  xvas  called  the     New 
Market,"  and  where  racing  was  continued  up  t(.  17/0.     About 
1765  the  Gr.st  cour.se  of  which  we  have  any  account  m  Virginia 


ND. 

Ivania,  Now  Jersey, 
ill  Ijoi'iors.  In  this 
i-ouKliout  the  lougtli 
f  sporting  iucvciiscd 
Ic.  It  is  natuml  to 
'kcil  by  slave-labor, 
lorts,  should  devote 
ds  of  lioi'si's,  more 
bad  already  become 

found  this  country, 
breeding  and  raising 
xrwards  the  South- 
It  is  true  the  States 
ined,  and  run,  soino 
r  produced;  but  the 
ivere  an  agricultural 
aisers  isprung  a  largo 
d  perpetuated  racing 
,-  many  cases  among 
1,  and  in  their  ranks 
tors,  merchants,  and 
"ing'popular  with  the 

take  such  a  hold  on 
Maryland,  Kentucky, 

have  commenced  in 
;on  of  the  Darby  Ara- 
fn)m  time  to  time,  for 
1  into  our  racers  by  the 
that  country.    1734  is 

a  prize— a  saddle  and 
ries.  The  alYair  took 
I  was  staked  out  for  the 
u'se  "  was  given.  From 
ontinued  in  February 
ly  a  silver  bowl,  tank- 
In  i7.">4  another  course 
1  was  called  the  "New 
\  up  to  1770.  About 
iy  account  iu  Virginia 


THE   lIOItSK. 


121 


waa  opened  near  Richmond,  and  ten  years  later  one  was  mado 
near  Baltimore,  and,  if  I  am  not  wrongly  informed,  two  more  on 
Long  Island  some  few  years  previous  to  the  commencement  of 
hostilities  between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  comitry.  Phila- 
delphia, also,  had  her  race  meeun^s  previous  to  the  revolution. 
During  that  struggle  racing  was,  of  course,  suspended  through- 
out the  country,  and  for  several  years  subseipient  it  did  not  ro- 
Tire  in  any  shape  worthy  the  name,  save  in  South  Carolina, 
where  it  was  continued  up  to  the  time  of  our  civil  war.  Efibita 
were  made  to  revive  it  in  Virginia  after  the  close  of  the  revolu- 
tion, and  also  iu  .Maryland,  but  met  with  but  little  success  up  to 
1820.  As  early  as  1787  racing  was  inaugurated  in  Lexington,  Ky., 
which  was  its  first  introduction  into  the  Southwest. 

The  revolution  broke  up  racing  in  tho  country,  nor  can  it  bo 
said  to  have  revived  until  we  had  somewhat  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  our  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  which  places  it  at  about 
1820.  No  inducement  was  offered  to  put  horses  in  training  for 
public  racing,  on  accountof  the  scarcity  of  money  in  tho  country. 
Evenso  far  back  as  twenty-five  years  ago,  when  money  was  plen- 
tiful, compared  with  tho  close  or  just  sul)sequent  to  our  war  with 
Great  Britain,  $800  was  the  regular  purso  given  for  four-mile 
heats,  $600  for  three,  and  $200  for  two-mile  heats,  facing  did 
not,  in  fact,  assume  any  iniportance  here  until  after  1829,  at 
which  time  the  "  Turf  Register  "  was  established  at  Baltimore, 
and  to  which  paper  the  revival  of  that  sport  is,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, due.  It  examined  into  tho  different  pedigrees  of  horses, 
which  led  to  the  culling  out  of  tho  pure  stock  from  tho  impure, 
and  kept  before  tho  public  the  names  of  prominent  turfmen, 
horse-brceuei  s,  and  upholders  of  tho  sports  of  the  turf.  It 
chronicled  the  different  racing  events  which  took  place  in  the 
country,  all  of  which,  combined,  gave  a  stimulus  to  racing  in  the 
Southern  States,  to  which  its  circulation  was  chiefly  confined."" 
Fresh  horses  were  imported  from  England,  and  the  breeding  of 
them  entered  into  largely  by  the  stock-raisers  of  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky, and  Tennessee,  who  saw  in  tho  cultivation  of  the  racer  a 
source  of  large  profit.  Racing  rapidly  increased  in  popularity 
with  the  people.  From  1838  up  to  1848  was  its  golden  era  in 
America,  previous  to  our  civil  war.  In  that  decade  there  ap- 
peared on  the  turf  a  larger  number  of  first-class  horses  than  had 
ever  before  been  seen  in  this  country.    It  was  during  this  time 


128  WAXDERIXOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

f^.  nn«  nf  the  larcest  stakes  ever  run  for  in  any  coun- 
that  a  race  for  o»^«  «™^^  stakes,"  (riven  at  Nash- 

!;C"tC^  sYbfmost^^^^^^^^^ 
w;  nnd  w^ Vortli  more  to  tbe  xsinncr  than  any  Derby  or  St. 

Xllv  »  Peytona."  The  first  match  made  to  test  the  speed  ot  the 
^'  nf  VhHnia  and  other  Southern  States  agamst  those  of 
E"y  klSrSeU  took  piace  in  1B.3  It  took  plac^on 
^  1  L^A  on.l  was  l)ctweeu  Henry  and  Eclipse,  for  $20,0UU  a 
Long  ^'^^^^.'^^^''^J^^^'oiYiv^rAa,  made  the  match  on  the 
:;at  of  HenSandMr^ohn  C.  Steytns,  of  New  York,  on  the  part 
^,  V  r7„  This  race  of  three  four-mile  heats,  was  run  m  the 
ofLchpse.     rbisrace,  01  u.r  spectators,  and  won  by 

presence  «f  ^^^  Jf ^  jVere  S^  I  23  minutes  and  59i 
TetS,  and^rHhau  V2OO.OOO  changed  hands  besides  the 

"^^'frw  years  later,  the  southerner  again  met  the  northerner 
T  SnnV  This  time  the  contestants  were  Post  Boy,  a 
on  Long  If  «^;  ,™:™'„J  j„ha  l5ascomb,asonofBertrand, 
""  "at  SflhnCroXf  Alabama,  ^b^  backed  his  horse 
rffo(iopSB.;  was  backed  by  Mr.  Tillotson  and  other 
S^^mSent  New  Yorke'rs.  The  race,  which  was  ranm  four-mde 
EIT^  was  won  by  the  southern  horse,  Bertrand. 
£  nirmatch  between  the  North  and  South  was  that  of 

If;ltSl-S    FaS'cL,.d  n3,»uMs,andBos.on 
match  was  an  unequal  one,  ^f  f  7^%""  ,^^  ^,,      ^te  aged. 


run  for  in  any  coun- 
ie8,"f:ivenatNash- 
-ent  which  ever  tools 
n  any  Derby  or  St. 
>s  for  $5,000  stalies 
in  the  race,  leaving 
vorth  to  the  winner 
i  Watson's  chestnut 
test  the  speed  of  the 
tes  against  those  of 
»3.    It  took  place  on 
Iclipse,  for  $20,000  a 
vde  the  match  on  the 
:ew  York,  on  the  part 
icats,  was  run  in  the 
jctators,  and  won  by 
23  minutes  and  59i 
d  hands  besides  the 

met  the  northerner 
Its  were  Post  Boy,  a 
,mb,asonofBertrand, 
who  backed  his  horse 
.  Tillotsou  and  other 
1  was  ran  in  four-mile 
rtrand. 

id  South,  was  that  of 
lised  in  Virgiria  and 
i  the  victor.  The  race 
a  side.  It  is  believed 
one  of  the  best  races 
n  in  this  country.  The 
113  pounds,  and  Boston 

test  the  speed  of  their 
land  in  May,  1845,  be- 
leirg  the  victor.  The 
over  have  been  made; 
Lshion  was  quite  aged, 
irough  th.   South,  only 


TH£  HOKS£. 


123 


equaled  by  that  caused  by  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.     After  the 
defeat  of  Fashion,  the  hoofs  of  the  high-mettled  racer  ceased  to 
resound  iu  the  North  and  West.  The  business  of  raising  thorough- 
breds was  abandoned  for  the  more  lucrative  business  of  breeding 
trotters,  and  racing  continued  to  be  confined  to  the  South  until 
the  commencement  of  the  rebellion.    From  1845  until  the  com- 
mencement of  the  rebellion,  racing  was  principally  confined  to 
Charleston,  New  Orleans,  Lexington,  Nashville,  Louisville,  and 
Memphis.    The  rebellion  broke  up  racing  in  the  South,  and  drove 
those  turfmen  owning  horses  to  the  North,  whe-o  the  sport  had 
sunk  so  low  that  scarcely  any  thorough-breds  were  owned  in  the 
Middle  or  Eastern  States.     The  Passaic  County  Agricultural 
Society,  atPaterson,  New  Jersey,  was  the  first  to  give  encourage- 
ment to  racing  in  the  North.     That  attempt  being  successful, 
other  localities  were  sought,  with  a  view  to  extending  the  field  of 
operation.    Philadelphia  was  tried  in  the  spring  of  1863,  with 
but  indift'erent  success,  and  abandoned.    In  August,  of  the  same 
year,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  old  course,  at  Saratoga,  and  its 
success  resulted  in  the  building  of  the  new  and  splendid  course 
there,,  and  it  has  become  one  of  the  most  popular  establishments 
in  the  country.    The  races  at  Saratoga  prompted  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  American  Jockey  Club  and  the  building  of  the  mag- 
nificent Jerome  Park  establishment,  and  since  that  the  one  at 
Long  Branch.    The  Jerome  Park,  Saratoga,  and  Long  Branch 
races  proved  a  great  success,  and  opened  the  eyes  of  the  South 
to  the  fact  that  the  mudsills  of  the  North  had  full  as  high  ap- 
preciation of  the  sport  of  racing  as  the  natives  of  their  own  sun- 
ny clime     The  revival  of  racing  is  not  confined  to  the  States 
of  New  Fork  and  New  Jersey.    The  Maryland  Jockey  Club  have 
had  several  successful  meetings  at  their  newly  made  and  hand- 
some course.     Race  meetings  were  held  during  the  summer 
months  at  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  and  many  of  the  smaller  cities 
of  the  West.    The  South,  too,  has  gradually  recovered  her  abil- 
ity to  indulge  in  her  favorite  sport,  and  meetings  have  been  held 
at  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Memphis,  and  Nashville. 

Such  is  the  field  open  to  the  enterprising  turfman.  And 
hence  it  is  in  no  way  surprising  that  many  gentlemen  of  means 
are  seeking  and  possessing  themselves  of  the  best  race-horses 
which  can  be  obtained,  Including  many  from  England.  Only  a 
few  years  ago,  thirty  or  forty  horses  at  a  race  were  considered  a 


I.Vli  PI  J.    lit  LI 


/ 


194  WANDERING8  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

This  revival  of  rating  is  n»»^  •»  ^  B  centlcinen  who  in- 

U^emcn  of  wealth  and  f «' ^"^^^  ^  ^^t  ^^0  ^^^ 

Acquisitions  arc  daily  ^f  "^,  "^'^nd  JaS  p3o  who  k  few 
stables  of  horses  being  ^f  "^^j*'  '^"^  f "^J^l-uieeting  alone, 
years  ago  could  'f  .^ V°^"-^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^  l^^Z  breeding 

riS-r^tS^^^^^^^^^ 

^tLtSr^e  old  school,  and  son.  of  the.  wlu,  co.- 
pose  the  new,  t^f  the  r^e^orse  of  to-dj  vas^  mie^^^  ^.^^, 

tt^at  of  a  couple  of  decades  ^f  ^^^ ^J^f  ^  f_Xnt  day,  or  near- 
this  opinion,  that  we  have  no  horses  at  ^^J^'''^^^%^  ^f  the 
ly  none,  capable  of  running  four-mile  heats.  {» ^^  «  -  ^^^ 
h'orses  ,;f  the  present  day  ^^ov.^^^<^,^^^\  '^^  tl  "trainers 
tracks  are  faster,  which  ^^J't'^'^ly /^  f ^/^^  ''peL  so  reasona- 
are  more  sRiUcd  in  their  art,  which  does  ^"^  aPP^'\'  ^  ^^^ 
ble.  The  truth  is,  the  fogy  turfman  ^'^^I'^'^'ft  the 
time  when  endurance  wa«a«  much  soug^it  for  as  speed 

ra«er,  and  when  none  but  such  as  JP^^i^n  tti,  last  ufteen 
could  be  rated  as  first-ciass  i^cers     »\^„7J/Xm^;^^^^  was 


Now  they  can  be 

gatheringa.  More 
oursos,  liy  three  to 
0(1  iu  this  country, 
sure  to  the  Ameri- 

gentlcnien  who  in- 
lugnientcd  hy  other 
,  short  time  the  or- 

of  the  members  at 
igh-bloodcd  horses, 
olc  comitry  became 
ng  associations  were 
,  arc  at  the  present 
•  race-courses  within 

owned  and  patron- 
iplc  in  the  land.  xVll 
ress  to  the  American 
les  and  regulations, 
se  associations,  new 
y  people  who  a  few 
I  race-meeting  alone, 
ouymg  and  breeding 
oyiug  that  interesting 

ne  of  those  who  com- 
day  vastly  inferior  to 
issign  as  a  reason  for 
present  day,  or  near- 
its.    They  say,  if  the 
jed,  it  is  because  the 
act;  that  the  trainers 
aot  appear  so  reasona- 
ums  for  the  good  old 
ht  for  as  speed  in  the 
i  run  four -mile  heats 
1  within  the  last  ufteen 
rland  or  America,  was 
to  do  so.    But  on  this 
opinions  of  the  turfmen 
milers  has  been  discon- 


THE   HORSE. 


125 


tinned,  and  speed  is  more  sought  after  than  endurance.  It  is 
the  prorailing  opinion  among  turfmen,  that,  in  cultivating  the 
racer  for  four-mile  heats,  his  speed  is  diminished.  Dash-racing, 
both  in  England  and  America,  has  become  more  popular  with 
the  public.  It  brings  to  a  race  meeting  four  time3  the  number 
of  horses,  increases  the  number  of  races,  makes  more  betting 
and  excitement,  and  last,  though  by  no  means  least,  has  super- 
seded the  cruel  practice  of  forcing  a  horse  to  run  the  exhaustive 
distance  of  twelve  miles,  which  is  much  more  often  painful  than 
amusing  to  the  spectators. 

From  careful  investigation,  there  is  no  evidence  to  show  that 
the  American  racer  of  to-day  has  iu  any  respect  degenerated 
within  the  last  fifty  years;  or  that  the  English  racer  is  in  any 
way  his  superior.  Both  have  sprung  from  the  same  stock,  on 
both  has  been  bestowed  the  same  care  In  breeding  and  train- 
ing, and  whatever  difference  lies  between  them  must  be  attri- 
buted to  climate,  etc. 

Whether  we  or  the  English  have  the  fastest  horses,  has  long 
been  a  mooted  question  in  this  country.  In  England,  but  little 
attention  is  paid  to  timing  horses  during  a  race ;  in  this  coun- 
try it  is  the  barometer  which  informs  us  of  the  increasing  or  de- 
creasing speed  of  our  racers.  Americans  boast,  and  they  are 
good  boasters,  that  their  horses  can  outspeed  those  of  England. 
They  cite  the  oft-quoted  exploit  of  English  Echpse,  and  claim 
that  many  of  our  horses  have  made  better  time  than  four  miles 
in  eight  minutes,  which  was  his  maximum.  They  claim  that 
Lexington  run  four  miles  in  less  than  seven  minutes  and  twenty 
seconds,  which  was,  they  assert,  faster  time  than  that  made  by 
Flying  Childers.  The  Americans  assert  that  the  elastic  turf 
and  the  straight  shape  of  the  English  courses  are  more  favora- 
ble to  speed  than  our  circular  ones  over  hard  tracks.  Whether 
a  horse  can  make  faster  time  over  a  mile  circular  track,  or  follf 
miles  on  an  open  stretch,  would  seem  to  me  a  very  nice  ques- 
tion. I  believe,  however,  it  is  the  opinion  of  old  turfmen,  that 
the  circular  shape  of  a  course  favors  both  the  speed  and  endur- 
anc-  ;  that  in  turning  the  curves  the  horse  cases  himself,  and 
that  any  speed  which  he  thus  loses  is  more  than  compensated 
by  his  brushes  on  the  stretches ;  while,  iu  running  four  miles  on 
a  straight  course,  he  has  no  opportunity  for  recuperation  by  once 
breaking  the  heavy  force  which  presses  him  onward  from  the 
score  to  the  goal. 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

The  difference  in  running  horses  on  turf,  the  prevailing  cus- 
tom in  England,  and  running  them  over  prepared  inickB,  asm 
thfs  country,  i«  still  unsettled.      Most  Americans  Leiieve  tl  e 
fo  mer  to  bo  tie  fastest,  hut  I  am  not  aware  that  any  one  up  to 
the  mUent  t  me  has  g  ven  any  convincing  proof  m  support  of 
Ss  Son     Comparing  the  time  which  horses  have  made  over 
5  fferent  courses  is  no' true  test  of  their  illative  specd,  some 
courses  being  much  better  for  speed  than  others.     The  Metar  e 
course  an  Uhose  of  Cincinnati,  Saratoga,  Paterson,  and  Prov  - 
dence  are  considered  the  fastest  race-tracks  in  the  country     It 
?8  the  same  with  the  English  courses-some  are  elastic  others 
ie  hard  and  heavy.    Some  of  these  run  over  a  dead  level  pla m 
while  les  are  h'alf  circular,  or  nearly  so,  and  many  are  with 
Siendtg  or  descending  grades,  consequently  hor.^s  are  n^^^^^^ 
to  make  as  fast  time  over  some  as  over  f'lcrs-     f '8^  ™""  JJ 
makinc  four  miles  seems  slow  for  such  a    horse  as  Eng.ish 
EcS  when  we  have  had  several  racers  who  have  Ixsaten  it 
fvSth   three  miles,  six  furlongs,  and  ninety-eight  yards,  made 
bv  Flying  Childers  in  six  minutes  and  four  seconds,  astounds  us. 
The  oily  true  test  of  relative  speed  is  to  start  the  two  hoi^e 
together' on  the  same  track;  and  until  th;s  >«  ^l^ne  we  shall 
have  to  suspend  judgment  on  the  comparative  merits  of  Eng- 
Srand  AScai  ram-s.     But  I  doubt  if  this  will  ever  bo  done 
to  a  suffitSnt  extent  to  allow  us  to  judge  of  the  merits  of  the 
horse  o7  the  two  comitries.     Nothing  is  more  capable  of  di  - 
amngement  from  shght  causes  than  the  race-horse    and  it  is 
Sely  that   his   exportation  over  three   thousand  miles  of 
Btomy  sea  would  improve  him.     About  fifteen  years  ago.  a  Mr. 

Ten  Broeck,  an  American,  took  ^it\l^'°;  t^^^^it",  „n  ^Enf 
horees,  for  the  purpose  of  competing  for  the  trophies  of  the  Eng- 
hsh  turf  These  thorough-breds  comprised  Prior,  Puoress, 
I '  comp  e,  and  Charlestonlnone  of  them,  however,  A  represent, 
atlvrof  the  American  racer,  and  having  all  met  with  defeat  at 
home  two'  iSompte  and  Charleston,  being  but  little  better 
rhTbrokek  down.  They  were  defeated  in  their  first  campaign, 
InTthoth  Prtress,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  won,  at  New  Market,  the 
CesarovSh  stakes,  after  a  dead  heat  with  Queen  Bess  and  El. 
Ham  Te  was  so  favorably  weighted  by  the  handicapper,  com- 
pared wfth  the  other  two  dead  heaters,  that  her  subsequent  v^c- 
?o^  in  the  deciding  heat,  did  not  add  much  to  the  prestige  of 


the  prevailing  cus- 
parccl  i racks,  as  in 
jricans  l)elievc  tlio 
that  any  one  up  to 
proof  in  support  of 
SOS  have  made  over 
dative  speed,  some 
icrs.     The  Metarle 
aterson,  and  Provl- 
in  the  country.    It 
0  are  elastic,  others 
•  a  dead  level  plain, 
and  many  are  with 
ly  horses  are  nnable 
srs.     Eight  minutes 
i    horse  as  English 
who  have  beaten  it, 
:y-eight  yards,  made 
leconds,  astounds  us. 
start  the  two  horses 
his  is  done  wo  shall 
ativo  merits  of  Eng- 
;hi8  will  ever  bo  done 
of  the  merits  of  the 
nore  capable  of  dis- 
race-horse,  and  it  ia 
3   thousand  miles  of 
teen  years  ago,  a  Mr. 
o  England  a  stable  of 
e  trophies  of  the  Eag- 
:ised   Prior,  Prioress, 
-owever,  fit  represent- 
all  met  with  defeat  at 
eing  but  Uttle  better 
n  their  first  campaign, 
m,  at  New  Market,  the 
li  Queen  Bess  and  El. 
he  handicapper,  com- 
lat  her  subsequent  vic- 
luch  to  the  prestige  of 


TH£  UUKSK. 


127 


the  American  turf.  Mr.  Ten  Uioock  then  imported  a  fresh  lot 
of  American  liorscs,  and  was  .somewhat  more  successful.  With 
one  of  these,  Starke,  lio  won  the  Goodwood  Cup,  and  with  Um- 
pire carried  oil'  several  of  the  two  year  old  racers.  Umpire  in 
the  following  year  Itccamo  a  prominent  favorite  for  the  Ep.som 
Derby,  but  in  this  great  race  was  beaten.  Beyond  an  unimport- 
ant attempt  in  the  same  direction,  by  Robert  Harlan,  of  Ken- 
tucky, nothing  has  been  done  to  test  the  relative  speed  of  the 
racers  of  the  two  countries. 

When  Mr.  Ten  Urocele  first  carried  his  stable  of  race-horses  to 
England,  some  of  the  papers  spoke  of  the  affiiir  as  an  interna- 
tional one,  and  Mr.  Ten  Broeck  as  a  representative  American 
turfman.  The  truth  is,  he  had  never  been  a  loading  turfman  in 
this  country,  and  hardly  knew  anything  about  racing  matters. 
America  has  had  a  hundred  horses  who  could  have  beaten 
Starke  and  Prioress,  in  their  palmiest  hours.  The  six  or  seven 
hor.ses  of  Ten  Broeck  were  contending  against  fourteen  or  fifteen 
hundred  picked  liorses  on  their  own  ground,  so  that  any  one 
can  understand  that  his  experiment  was  no  fair  test  of  the  rela- 
tive speed  of  the  American  and  English  horse.  Mr.  Ten 
Broeck  was  one  of  the  cleverest  gamblers  in  the  country,  and 
had  for  years  beaten  the  most  skillful  at  their  own  peculiar 
games;  but  regarding  racing  matters  ho  was  deficient.  By 
shrewd  management  he  got  control  of  the  Metarle  course  at 
New  Orleans,  and  shortly  afterwards  made  that  celebrated  match 
on  Lesington,  against  time,  for  $10,000.  It  has  long  been  the 
opinion  of  shrewd  turfmen  tliat  the  match  for  the  sum  stated 
was  no  match  at  all,  but  merely  a  hippodroming  afitiir,  for  the 
division  of  the  gate  money.  However  that  may  be,  Lexington 
covered  the  ground  inside  7.19|,  the  time  specified,  and  gave  to 
Mr.  Ten  Broeck  notoriety  as  a  turfman,  which  was  what  he 
wanted.  Having  gained  his  prestige,  he  embarked  for  Englanl" 
with  his  stable  of  horses,  which,  in  that  country,  whatever  may 
have  been  his  antecedents,  provided  he  has  met  his  betting  en- 
gagements, give  to  a  man  a  social  standing  among  turfmen. 
Such  a  position  gave  him  a  favorable  opportunity  for  making 
his  matchless  skill  at  cards  useful  to  him— an  opportunity  which 
he  did  not  fail  to  improve.  Ho  also  made  his  stable  of  horses  a 
self-supporting  institution.  Aside  from  the  few  races  which  he 
won,  the  proceeds  of  which  would  not  have  supported  him  in 


.  ;*4^*^«»s->»a»w*",» 


"I l# III IWMB ■*•■*'«  I'  gtti'' 


WANDEIUNOS  OF  A  VAOAHOSD. 


w 


his  extravagant  stylo  of  living,  six  months,  lio  made  bis  borsch 
ami  his  Dosition  wi  tho  tiuf  h-th  prolitahlc  to  Inn..  Ho  took 
Ta  c  o  make  tho  ac.,uaint.n.-c  of  such  Americans  visUmg  Ko,- 

Mr  Tnn  Broock?  "  Or  If  lio  had  uono  startmg,  What  s  >our 
Mr.  Tea  Bro°<'^J  ^;^^^^^„  «  what  odds  arc  you  takmg  on 
ZTrV^  tIh  BrooX^^  consulting  his  betting  book  for  a 
hira,  sir  r  ^''°  "' ,  ^  '  ,  o^^,  -,„  i,i8  habitually  dispassionate 
Sl'Tr^^icing  tloTone^^^^^^^  to  two"  as  the  case  might 
hr'Hil  Mends  wS  close  by  hooking  him  down  for  several 
S  11  InndR  Those  booking  bets  were  but  shams,  --i  those 
^"T  ACmtthTn  B  oec:,  his  confederates-men  movin., 
J^'SherghefcircLs  of  socles  for  he  .as  too  Bl-wd  to  Pjrt 
S^lf  in  the  nowor  of  common  adventurers  upon  the  turf, 

such  bets  were  made,  when  it  was  well  ^"^^^J^^^™ 
and  his  confederates,  that  the  horse  ^ould  not  start  in  the  race 

at  all.    By  such  cunning  ^^^^^'^Z'^^'J^^^^^tlZ^^^ 
superior  skill  at  cards,  he  managed  to  ;;^^^;'"^"^J^^  '^^^^  ^^uu- 
in  splendid  style  for  many  years,  and  to  return  from  tuai 
try  with  an  immense  fortune. 

TROTTERS. 

Many  of  our  students  learned  in-'borseology"  contend  that 

the  r  Jer  and  the  trotter  are  originally  ^^^^^'^f^J^^^^V  whose 
sages  proceed  to  say  that  no  t^-^tt^r  wor  by  of  the  name  « 
nediirree  can  be  traced,  is  without  the  blood  of  tho  Godolphin 
ArabiZ  and  that  whenever  a  horse  is  bred,  tracing  back 


ID. 

10  made  his  horses 
tn  him.      no  took 
leans  visiting  Kns* 
iJH  linrscs,  from  nix- 
\  m  his  judRmont. 
iisclf.    Ton  Hroock, 
laintance,  and  nioro 
en  toKctlior  at  Tat- 
f,  wliero  tlioy  would 
1  tlie  former  soomed 
lying  on  your  horse, 
•ting,  "  What's  your 

arc  you  taking  on 
8  hotting  book  for  a 
itually  dispassionate 
a  "  as  the  case  might 
ini  down  for  several 
but  shams,  -^d  those 
urates— men  moving, 
ras  too  shrewd  to  put 
irora  upon  tlio  turf, 
iture  time  throw  dis- 
)okod  in  the  presence 
sm  to  take  stock  with 
id  "  pals"  knew  per- 
ivin.      And  frequently 
nown  to  Ten  Broock 
1  not  start  in  the  race 

just  related,  and  his 
lin  himself  in  England 
etura  from  that  coun- 


seology"  contend  that 
3  same.  These  learned 
thy  of  the  name,  whose 
lood  of  the  Godolphin 
is  bred,  tracing  back 


THE  iionsE. 


129 


through  forty-nine  veins,  or  rainillcationa,  to  the  Godolphin,  his 
trotting  speed  will  nearly  C(iual  that  of  our  present  racers.  As 
this  al)struse  .science  of  liorso-blood  is  too  deep  for  mo,  and  as  it 
does  not  belong  to  the  province  of  tiiia  work,  I  shall  leave  the 
subject  to  tho.so  vorsed  in  ciiuinology,  and  hit  them  argue  it  to 
their  hearts'  content.  Sutlico  it  to  say,  that  in  no  country  on  the 
face  of  tho  globo  has  the  same  amount  of  care  boon  given  to  the 
cultivation  of  tho  trotter  as  in  tho  rnitod  States,  and  the  select- 
ive breeding  of  them  has  added  millions  to  tho  weaMi  of  the 
country.  Tho  trotters  hero,  which  can  make  their  mile  in  threo 
minutes,  arc  numbered  by  thousands,  while  those  who  can  make 
their  mile  in  two  miimtes  and  forty  seconds  are  numbered  by 
hundreds,  and  many  a]»[)eiir  every  summer  on  tho  turf,  at  the 
difl'erent  courses,  who  can  make  tlioir  mile  far  down  among  tho 
twenties.  And  in  no  other  country  but  this  has  tho  trotter  over 
completed  twenty  miles  in  an  hour  in  harness.  Within  the  last 
twenty  years  several  attempts  have  been  made  to  introduce  trot- 
ting races  into  England,  but  without  success.  Its  failure  may 
bo  attri])uted  to  the  want  of  encouragement  from  tho  land-own- 
ers and  other  wealthy  clas.se.s,  who  are  prejudiced  against  any 
foreign  innovations  on  tlie  .sports  of  the  turf,  or,  as  D'Israeli  has 
it,  "  tho  noble  pastime  of  England's  aristocracy."  There  are 
many  trotters  in  tho  country.  Many  have  boon  imported  from 
America,  and  no  little  attention  has  \mm  \r,\k\,  within  the  last 
decade,  to  the  breeding  and  training  o{  them  ;  but  very  few  have 
been  disthigui.shed  for  speed,  and  very  few  can  bo  found  to  make 
their  milo  in  threo  minutes.  There  are  no  prepared  courses  for 
trotting,  and  such  matches  an  have  taken  place  have  boon  per- 
formed over  tho  public  highway,  or  turf,  which  les-sens  tho 
speed  of  tho  trotter  in  harness  about  ten  seconds  to  tho  mile. 
These  trotting  matches,  of  which  several  have  been  made  during 
the  last  twenty  years,  wore  well  attended,  especially  by  the  low* 
er  and  middle  classes,  and  at  some  of  them  large  sums  of  money 
have  changed  hands.  I  think,  however,  the  diay  is  still  far  dis- 
tant when  trotting  will  be  one  of  the  popular  sports  of  England. 
Tho  people  of  France  have  paid  more  attention  to  trotting  and 
trotting  horses  than  tho  people  of  England.  Within  the  last  de- 
cade several  thorough -brods  have  been  imported  from  America 
for  the  purpose  of  breeding.  In  the  summer  of  1867  the  racing 
association  of  Rouen  gave  liberal  purses  to  trotters ;  this  was  the 


130 


wANUEBirns  or  a  vaoauonu. 


flrHt  affair  of  tho  kind  which  over  took  place  in  Enropo.    Mf  ny 
;  tho^m  IV    trottor«,  both  of  France  an.l  KngUvml.  n.et  a     oucn 
to  clpcto  for  tho  trophies.    Tlio  meeting  wa«  largely  at  c.ul ed 
auriTrcxtraordinaiTti-nowaH  shown,  in  c.n.panson  to  what 
ta  commo, Ty  done  on  Anu=rican  courses,  tho  races  gave  general 
atirtion'     Tho  late  Fran^-o-Prussian  -- '-.  f-.^-^^.^", 
iiiiuro  tho  advancement  of  trotting  an.i  racing  In  Hanco ,  Imt 
ho  deep  interest  taken  In  the  cultivation  of  the  tro  or  by    he 
wealthy  landowners,  and  the  Increasing  dcslro  of  the  wea  thy 
Srgenerally,  living  In  or  near  Paris,  to  provU le  U.n.se  vos 
with  fine  blooded  stock,  makes  It  presumable  that  m  t»'o  ^^ay  "J 
turf  sports  trotting  races  may  In  a  few  years  become  as  popular 
OS  running  races  now  arc.  „„„„_, 

Considerable  attention  has  been  paid  by  the  «"-'"'^" .f.^^^^'J" 
tnent  to  the  breeding  and  raising  of  trotting  horses  I  ho  hardy 
breed  of  Northern  Russia,  when  Intermixed  with  the  more  n,et- 
tlcsoTuo  ones  of  tho  south-eastern  part  of  tho  emp.ro,  mako  le- 
markablygoodtrotters.  Russiahas  to-day  ^greaternumber  and 
rbottor  class  of  trotters  than  any  country  in  Kuropo  he  favm - 
He  rnethod  of  testing  their  speed  Is  upon  tho  Ice,  and  harnessed 
to  ifght  sledges.  I^irlng  the  winter  sea.son  when  t- bosom  o 
the  Nova  becomes  a  way  of  glittering  ice,  these  trottmg-matches 
are  very  frequent  and  popular  with  tho  people. 

VALTTE    OP    TU0TTEB8. 

No  kind  of  stock-raising  has  ever  been,  in  any  part  of  the 
world,  80  lucrative  as  tho  breeding  and  raising  of  trotters  iu  the 
United  States,  and  year  h:  year  it  is  becomnig  more  so.    AlK.ut 
twelVo  yeara  ago,  Flora  T.   -  'e,  the  fastest  trotter  the  world  had 
evoTseon,  up  ?o  her  tim«,  sold  for  $8,000.  Jo-day  any  ho  se 
whi  can  rot  in  2.30  will  bring  nearly  aa  much,  while  Worses  that 
Tan  t?ot   a  mile  in    2.24,   2.23,  2.22,  2.21,  wi  1   ^nnR   from 
$15,000  to  $35,000,  and  some,  in  the  possession  of  wealthy  men, 
Jan^ot  be  bought   for  $60,000.      Such  men,  howov«;-J^^;« 
more  money  than  they  can  spend-a  pinching  e^f  *«  ««J'2; 
?hey  crave  notoriety,  which  the  possession  of  a  celebrated  fast 
horse  can  confer  on  them,  while  they,  in  "^urn,  are  unable  to 
confer  any  notoriety  on  the  horse.     However,  to  make  a  horse 
wS^  aTertain  price,  it  must  bo  shown  that  ho  cai.  bring  back 


SI). 

In  Europe.  Mfny 
?l;vn(l,  met  at  Umicu 
VfJ  largely  attciidftl, 
•onipariaon  to  what 
races  Rave  fjenoral 
ban  (lone  much  to 
Ing  In  France;  but 
the  trotter  by  the 
?Hiro  of  the  wealthy 
provide  thoniHclvos 

0  that  in  the  way  of 
become  as  popular 

;ho  Russian  govern - 
horses.    The  hardy 

1  with  the  more  nict- 
10  empire,  make  re- 
.grcatornumber  and 
1  Europe.  Tlio  favor- 
B  ice,  and  harnessed 
,  when  the  bosotn  of 
leso  trottiug-matches 
plo. 

RS. 

,  in  any  part  of  the 
sing  of  trotters  iu  the 
Qing  more  so.  About 
;  trotter  the  world  had 
[).  To-day  any  horse 
luch,  while  horses  that 
.21,  will  bring  from 
ission  of  wealthy  men, 

men,  however,  have 
aching  evil  to  society, 
in  of  a  celebrated  fast 

return,  are  unable  to 
jver,  to  make  a  horse 
hat  he  can  bring  back 


rUE   IIOKhK. 


lai 


to  his  owner  the  money  paid  for  him,  ulth  at  IcuHt  legal  iutoreut, 
if  mi  more.  Fancy  pricus  sot  upon  iior.Hcs  ^o  for  nothing.  Mr. 
O'Kelly,  the  owner  of  liuglish  Eclipst-,  a.slied  lor  him  i^'S),iK)0 
and  a  life  annuity  ofi5()()  a  year.  Mr.  O'lvolly's  demanding 
bis  price  and  receiving  it  (whicli  ho  did  not)  are  two  very  dill'er- 
ent  things.  Hus.sia,  England,  and  I'urtugal  have  given,  to  pro- 
cure the  finest  and  largest  diamonds  in  the  world,  fabulous 
prices,  while  thousands  of  their  people  were  staiving  for  bread. 
These  sen.seleas  stones  are  useless  to  tlKwo  ooinitrics,  save  to 
adorn  tiio  state  of  royalty;  yet  tlie  wealth  of  tli«>  Kotli.scliilds 
would  not  buy  one  of  tiiem.  The  Vatican,  Pittl  Palace,  Dresden 
Gallery,  and  that  of  the  Louvre,  contain  many  works  of  art  which 
origiiuiliy  brought  but  a  mere  |)iltance  to  the  toil-worn  artist 
under  wliose  hands  they  grew,  yet  at  the  pre.sent  day  untold 
gold  could  not  purchase  tiunn. 

It  is  the  being  wanted  f(ir  tlio  stud  whirh  raises  the  price  of 
racers  and  trotters.  Whenever  a  horso  has  established  a  repu- 
tation by  his  fretpienl  success  on  the  turf,  he  or  she  is  sought 
after  for  the  stud.  Twenty  years  ago,  Lexington,  then  tiuiught 
to  bo  the  best  colt  in  the  United  .States,  was  ollVred  for  !«i'i,()00, 
and  also  with  him  went  half  his  engagements  <(«•  mile  and  two- 
mile  heat  races.  After  tli(!  accomplishment  of  his  celebrated 
feat  again.st  time,  he  sold  for  $ir),()00;  that  then  being  the 
largest  price  ever  paid  for  a  horse  in  this  country.  His  ollspring, 
Norfolk,  some  years  later  brought  the  same  price  in  green- 
backs, which  were  then  worth  about  sixty  cents  on  the  dollar. 
About  five  years  ago  Kentucky  sold  for  ,'§il.-),(KM),  at  auction.  In 
1870,  Kingfisher  brought  $15,000,  after  having  won  his  two 
most  important  stakes  for  his  owner.  Enquirer  also  was  sold 
for  $15,000,  after  wimiing  all  his  important  stakes,  and  Long- 
follow,  just  before  the  close  of  the  racing  season,  a  year  ago 
(1871)  was  held  at  $120,000.  It  was  almost  unprecedented  suo* 
cess  upon  the  turf,  which  raised  the  price  of  those  horses,  and 
those  who  bought  them  did  not  do  so  with  any  expectation  of 
getting  their  money  back  on  the  turf.  The  price  of  racers  haa 
remained  almost  stationary  during  the  last  thirty  years,  while 
those  of  the  trotter  have  increased  trebly  during  the  last  decade; 
the  reason  of  this  being  the  trotter  is  much  more  profitable  to 
his  owner  than  the  racer.  Trotting  associationo  hang  up  heav- 
ier purses  than  racing  ones;  besides,  trotters  can  .make  money  for 


I 

/ 


rfl 


132  WAJfDEBlNGS  or  A  VAGABOND. 

iTat  nearly  all  times  a  saleable  article,  and  m  considera- 

selves  and  «^«r , ff'f'r„„re't  their  horses  do  mteucceed  in 
gate  money,  and  it  one  or  more  oi  i  expenses  eat  them 

:r  I7a^^n  S"  t^^^l  a^S?^l«er%e  is  .ery  un- 
up.    If  a  "'""J''™™  1'       ^„„„  to,  tiiose  ahlo  to  support  a 
"rror  his'cwr»nrsenie„t.or  a  praet.ea,  turfma"    •bonld 

sraSu  .0  do  ^^^'^^  r„Ti:rres"»?ie:; 

^    io^   hnt  I  have  yet  to  see  the  <irst  one  among  them  ^vho  ac 
stables;  but  I  l^ave  yei  to  t,  breeders  of  the  racers 

Srot'LTrhrSf-heiXd';  tho  sports  of  the  tur^ 
°a^  Xsman,  of  the  raelng  estaWishments  thronghout  th. 

Sls^^^-xssSHHFsE 

ESS  .rrctr^rofT'tr-x  or 

or  of  Sk'lhlr  connived  at  .hese  or  participated  in  them. 

Many  pr^rietoJs  were  compelled  to  see  ^^^^^^^X^Tt 
iv  robbed  in  Silence,  or  have  their  courses  rot  on  their  hfinds  lor 
ly  ^o\>^^'^J^^'^^  '  ^f  g^^gral  trotters  would  col- 

S  tosS  r  and  Jake  an  agreement  to  trot  over  a  certan 
trselt  dVnan.ed,  for  a  division  of  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^ 
nf  r'niirse  with  the  sanction  of  the  proprietor  of  the  tracK.  i  ae 
"lurcement  would  appeav  iu  thepubUc  prints,  and  flammg 


iitside  thoil-  keeping 
;hed  by  vuuning  for 
ah,  to  liie  disgrace  of 
During  a  summer 
lis  master  from  three 
trotter,  unlike   the 
le,  and  in  considera- 
orerrofital)lc,  aswell 
owners  of  tlie  latter 
irf,  to  support  tliem- 
ad  on  no  division  of 
ses  do  not  succeed  in 
ir  expenses  eat  them 
racer,  he  is  very  un- 
56  able  to  support  a 
tical  turfman,  should 
ons  who  have  any  re- 
ome  safer  investment, 
many  prominent  turf- 
large  and  handsome 
I  among  them  who  ac- 
jreeders  of  the  racers 
the  sports  of  the  turf, 
ments  throughout  the 

It  trotting  races  have 
in  this  country.    For- 
16  control  of  a  set  of 
!ing  the  unwary.    The 
their  swindling  so  suc- 
settled  down  into  the 
if  the  sport.    The  own- 
r  participated  in  them, 
heir  patrons  barefaced- 
s  rot  on  their  hands  for 
3ral  trotters  would  col- 
;  to  trot  over  a  certain 
the  gate  money.    This, 
ietor  of  the  track.    The 
blic  prints,  and  flaming 


THE  HORSB. 


133 


placards,  posted  everywhere,  announced  that  the  race  would 
take  place  at  such  a  time,  lor  a  pur^o  sometimes  of  several 
thousands  of  dollars  ;  the  amouuL  being  stated  according  to  the 
locality.  A  ten  thousand  dollar  purse  might  be  suitabJc  for 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  or  Baltimore,  while  five  hundred  dol- 
lars would  be  large  enough  for  the  smaller  towns  of  the  West. 
The  meeting  might  call  to  the  grounds  from  one  thousand  to  ten 
thousand  or  more  spectators.  At  some  of  the  trotting  races  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York,  as  many  as  thirty  thousand  specta- 
tors have  been  present  repeatedly.  The  owners  of  the  horses, 
their  trainers,  and  confederates  on  the  outside,  had  a  perfect  un- 
derstanding with  each  other.  Should  the  public  make  of  any 
horse  a  favorite,  and  bet  heavily  upon  him,  their  favorite  would 
be  very  like  to  come  out  second  best  in  the  race,  aad  their 
money  would  find  its  way  into  the  pockets  of  the  owners  of  the 
horses,  their  trainers,  and  confederates.  These  rascally  pro- 
ceedings were  not  confined  to  any  particular  locality,  but  were 
more  or  less  practiced  all  over  the  country,  and  are  so  still  in 
many  of  the  smaller  places  in  the  South  and  Southwest.  These 
things  could  not  bo  efTectually  concealed,  and  the  cries  of  the 
victims  of  these  frauds  have  rung  out  in  tones  not  to  be  mis- 
taken, all  over  the  land,  for  many  years,  without  any  particular 
remedy  being  applied  to  put  a  stop  to  them.  An  act  passed  by 
the  legislature  would  have  put  an  end  to  them,  within  the  ju- 
risdiction of  the  State  passing  such  act.  The  very  worst  of  the 
scoundrels  would  have  hesitated  before  perpetrating  his  frauds, 
if  the  doors  of  the  state  prison  were  yawning  to  receive  him 
the  moment  he  was  detected.  But  the  generality  of  law- 
makers with  which  we  have  been  blessed,  in  this  free  and  en- 
lightened country,  would  view  the  stealing  of  a  loaf  of  bread  by 
a  starving  man  as  a  crime  worthy  the  penitentiary,  but  would 
consider  the  robbing  a  man  on  a  race-track,  by  foul  driving  <fr 
other  fraudulent  shifts  known  to  some  of  the  trotting  faternity, 
only  a  shrewd  piece  of  financiering.  But  happily,  whcro  trotting 
is  conducted  on  a  large  scale,  as  around  New  York,  Buffalo, 
Kalamazoo,  Providence,  etc.,  etc.,  these  track-thieves  havo  no 
longer  an  opportunity  to  ply  their  vocation.  Trotting  associa- 
tions composed  of  respectable  citizens  havo  been  organized  in 
most  of  the  States,  new  rules  and  regulations  have  been  framed, 
and  are  at  the  present  time  rigidly  enforced. 


IM 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 
POOL-SELLING. 


When  the  straugor  first  makes  his  appearance  in  the  betting- 
rinl  of  the  EnguL  race-course,  he  may  well  imagme  himsel 
^?ng  a  crowd  of  bedlamites.  A  thousand  throats  are  stretched 
JTSr  utmost,  crying  out  their  slang  betting  phrases  of ''mon- 
L^'-'poS"  ^tenners,"  "fivers,"  "one  to  three,"  "four  to 
S  "  etc    while  the  noise  and  confusion,  which  is  over  and  sur- 
'ids  ail,  is  nothing  less  than  p.ulemonium  itself-       remem- 
ber  when,  in  this  country,  men  in  the  higher  walks  «/  J'f^-  ""^"^ 
ocLpyin-^  Wj;h  official  positions,  were  not  a«hamed  to  bo  s  en 
^  the  race-track,  with  money  in  their  hands,  calhng  out  like 
Z£.^^  bl^ts  they  Wished  to  make  -  t^^  f;o"^«; 
^,,r.h  thinirs  were  fashionable  in  this  country  till  withm  the  last 
flftfen  yefr  "I'll  bet  five  hundred  dollars  with  any  gentleman 
?hat  Truxton  is  the  winner,"  sung  out  GeneralJackson,  on   ho 
qu^tl  st?e?ch  of  the  Nashville  course,  the  said  Truxton  bemg 

-s:  ^ir^rsy- :^^  cd.  ^^^^ 

11  ofLk  short  card  player,  who  would  not  bet  five  hundred 
SLtn  an^JtmnXept  to  have  the  honor  of  saying  he  made 

'^^^Z'l^'^Tjt^^^':^^  any  gentleman  that  Trux- 
ton is  thTir,"  reiterated  the  General,  without  noticing  Col. 

'''^^^S:-l'^TZt^,  running  up  to  the  hero  of  New 

°'Thro«neral  paused  in  his  promenade,  and  fixed  his  eyes  full- 

,?!,  ,l^n  rorjimmv  then  replied,  in  a  freezing  tone,  quite 

cockeduponCol.  Jimmy,ineu     1       ,  understand 

'°"'rTL?Mrr^^'SfivI;Urcd  dollar.  ..« 
^ilm^nthrrnL' Lturnlng  away,  be  c»n.inuoda 
to  ^,"lr his  walk,  and  hi.  "I'll  he.  any  gentleman  Ave 
hundred  doll."  'hat  Truxton^s  the  wmne.  ^^^ 

S3u^>:rhSh^l:.u»lwhl«h.h<.uldheremed,«l. 


iJ), 


nee  in  the  betting- 
ill  imagine  himself 
iroats  aio  stretched 
g  phrases  of  "mon- 
to  three,"  "four  to 
ch  is  over  and  sar- 
in itself.  Ireraem- 
walka  of  life,  many 
whamed  to  be  seen 
ids,  caUing  out  like 

on  their  favorites. 

till  within  the  last 
with  any  gentleman 
;ral  Jackson,  on  tho 

said  Truxton  being 

ol.  Jimmy  Smith,  a 
aot  bet  five  hundred 
or  of  saying  he  made 

entleman  that  Trux- 
without  noticing  Col. 

to  the  hero  of  New 

nd  fixed  his  eyes  full- 
a  freezing  tone,  quite 
Zon  don't  understand 
3  hundred  dollars  that 
iway,  he  continued  at 
3t  any  gentleman  five 

',T." 

ace-course  has  passed 
and  quiet  method  of 
.  some  fifteen  or  sixteen 
race-track  of  any  pre- 
vers  well  enough  when 
ich  shciiild  be  remedied. 


tHE  HORSE. 


135 


In  the  first  place,  racing  associations  charge  three  per  cent,  on 
what  money  is  won,  anfl  at  many  of  the  smaller  of  tho  racing  and 
trotting  meetings,  three  per  cent,  of  tho  whole  amount  of  the  pool 
is  charged,  that  is,  upon  the  w  innings  and  the  investments.  Now 
this  is  a  fraud  upon  the  public.  Racing  associations  make  enough 
from  their  gate-money,  and  should  have  pool-selling  done  gra- 
tuitously on  their  tracks,  for  the  benefit  of  their  patrons.  Pools 
sold  should  be  made  play  or  pay,  otherwise  wrong  may  be  done 
to  innocent  persons,  as  the  following  circumstance,  which  hap- 
pened a  few  years  ago  in  Saratoga,  will  show.  The  night  before 
the  race  Cottrill  sold  as  first  choice  in  tho  pools,  and  several 
thousand  dollars  were  invested  on  him.  Before  morning  Nara- 
gausett,  in  a  trial  speed,  ran  a  mile  in  1.48.  This  becoming  known 
to  a  few  initiated,  who  had  large  stakes  on  Cottrill,  the  owner 
ofthat  horse  announced  that  large  spots  or  welts  had  broken  out 
on  his  horse  during  the  night,  and  appealing  to  tho  judges,  they 
allowed  the  horse  to  be  withdrawn,  so  that  his  backers  recovered 
their  money.  Had  not  Naragansett  run  that  fast  trial  speed,  the 
chances  are  that  Cottrill  would  have  started.  If  such  a  fraud 
could  be  perpetrated  on  one  of  the  first  class  race-courses,  and 
on  one  of  the  most  fairly  managed,  how  easily  could  it  be  done, 
and  no  doubt  often  is,  on  the  smaller  and  more  obscure  courses  in 
the  country.  Such  sharp  practice  would  tell  for  nothing,  if  pool- 
selling  were  made  to  play  or  pay.  The  pool -seller  has  also  his 
favorites,  and  it  is  in  his  power  to  benefit  them  greatly,  though  by 
so  doing  he  does  a  corresponding  iiyustice  to  the  betting  public. 
At  a  nod  from  a  favorite,  a  pool  is  suddenly  knocked  down  to  him, 
or  another  sign  from  the  same  source  causes  the  auctioneer  to 
dwell  loud  and  long.  The  system  of  pool-selling  gives  owners 
an  opportunity  to  bet  against  their  o-vn  horses,  which  many  of 
them  do  if  they  think  they  will  not  win.  Before  tho  system  of 
pool-selling  obtained,  the  turfman  betting  against  his  own  entpy 
would  be  dishonored,  and  such  things  were  not  tolerated  on  the 
turf;  but  turfmen  of  the  present  day  practice  it  in  the  pools,  and 
no  one  considers  it  strange.  The  turfmen  of  old  never  laid  against 
their  own  stables,  and  though  many  of  the  modern  ones  do,  it  is 
a  practice  which  ought  not  to  be  tolerated.  It  cannot  be  denied 
that  pool -selling  has  done  away  with  many  evils  of  the  turf,  and 
notably  the  noise  and  confusion  which  prevailed  formerly  on  a 
race-course,  in  the  making  of  bets,  hunting  up  th«  holders  of 


136  WANDERrNGS  OF  A  tAGABONDi 

Stakes  and  the  quarrels  and  figbta  which  ensued  about  the 
?aSof  bets  Pool-scllinR  is  also  a  great  advantage  to  tho  e 
ThTlay  against  the  favorite,  and  who  always  take  ^^^ ^^.^^ 
pool-selling,  sometimes  a.  nmch  as  forty  to  one  are  1^"J^^^'"«J 
Lrtain  ho^es,  while  rating  that  way  m  ;^°  P^  ^^^J^^,,^ 

be  obtained  in  the  ring. 

OAMBLEBS    ON    THE    TURF. 

^odlslnterestedcla^sofmenlntm^^^^^^^^^^ 

course,  or  to  give  purses  for  a  race  ™f  °g' *^^^,,^":  J^^^  Xa  s 
contributed  liberally  -^^^^^-f  ^^ J^^^^^^^  ^a    t^^Hnen,  and 
shown  the  same  generous  8p;nt  n  ^«f ''V"^_"^^r"^  ...^gt  Jf  the 
have  never  been  found  wanting  m  upholdmg  the  "^tercst  o   me 
Zl   Such  at  lea«t  has  been  their  record  for  the  last  half  century 
notwithstanding  the  efforts  made  ^^^ -"^^J^f J,7elled  from 
tho  newspapers  of  the  country,  to  cause  them  *« J^^  f  f  "'^^^^ 
the  race-courses  altogether.  To  be  the  fountam-head  of  au^^^^^ 
has  been  the  itch  of  wealth,  and  to  it  the  majon  y  of  «^^^^ 
erelasses  have  pandered.    Previous  to  the  f^^^^^^^'/^Jf,^    f^ 
was  not  allowed  entrance  to  the  grand  stand  ««  f ^J^^^^^"  7„,„ 

Te  race     Such  invidious  distinctions  have  disappeared  from  ou. 
fa^e-crurses?:'  'tis  proper  they  should  do  l^^^^  ;':^l'l^,l 
nm-s     Onlv  the  snobocracy  of  which  the  Jerome  Park  racnig 
roeiaUo?is':omposed  trLd  to  P^fem  after  th-^^^^^^^^ 
whren  of  New  Orleans  and  Charieston ;  but  the  ay™gant  pre 

ITnbeSaSr,  Laid  I,  »gh.  .h»,  it  i=  no,  nece.»^ 


ensued  about  the 
advantage  to  those 
,  take  ibc  odds.  In 
mo  are  laid  against 
0  pool  it  would  be 

lay  any  such  odds, 
ould  take  such  odds 
[\  a  horse  that  would 
ten  to  one  could  not 


J  u  R  F  . 

ntry  have  shown  the 
■s.    Whenever  funds 
the  opening  of  a  new 
they  have  invariably 
Thoy  have  always 
T  needy  turfmen,  and 
Qg  the  interest  of  the 
r  the  last  half  century, 
)us  times,  by  many  ol 
)m  to  be  expelled  from 
tain-head  of  authority 
iiajority  of  our  culiur- 
e  civil  war,  a  gambler 
md  on  the  race-course 
as.     At  the  same  time 
kletario  course  in  New 
re  obliged  to  drive  to 
)  their  carriages  during 
6  disappeared  from  our 

0  in  a  free  country  like 
e  Jerome  Park  racing 

1  after  their  exclusive 
but  the  arrogant  prc- 

tion  from  the  public  to 

them  to  abandon  their 

to  make  exclusivencss 

;  that  it  is  not  necessary 


THE  HORSE. 


137 


for  a  man  to  have  a  voucher,  or  a  woman  a  marriage  certificate 
in  her  pocKet,  in  order  to  gain  admission  to  the  grand  stand  of 
a  race  track. 

Many  gamblers  have  owned  and  run  race-horses  to  their  mis- 
fortune, and  many  have  owned  tracks ;  but,  after  thirty  years'  ex- 
perience, I  have  never  known,  and  I  have  yet  to  learn,  of  a 
gambler  being  engaged  in  a  fraudulent  race  transactior..  I  have 
heard,  however,  of  several,  and  know  of  my  own  knowledge  of  two 
instances,  where  jobs  were  successfully  put  up  by  turfmen,  to  rob 
gamblers.  No  class  of  pensou.  behave  themselves  bettor  than 
gamblers  on  the  race-course,  or  interfere  less  with  its  good  order 
and  management ;  yet,  notwithstanding  this  honorable  record  in 
their  favor,  I  agree  with  those  punctilious  gentlemen  of  the  press, 
and  others,  who  imagine  all  gamblers  thieves,  and  their  appear- 
ance on  a  race-course,  otherwise  than  spectators,  fraught  with 
some  rascality  towards  the  betting  public — I  agree  with  these 
honorable  gentlemen  in  so  far  that  I  think  gamblers  should  keep 
away  from  race  meetings  altogether.  It  would  bo  a  saving  to  the 
frateraity,  of  more  than  $J(K),(X)0  annually.  With  regard  to 
numbers,  their  presence  would  not  bo  missed,  except  at  the  pool 
stands,  and  at  the  pool-selling  rooms  in  the  city  during  a  race 
week,  in  consequence  of  which  the  betting,  which  gives  such  a 
spicy  interest  to  the  race,  would  greatly  decrease,  and  perhai)s 
the  loss  would  add  to  the  moral  improvement  of  the  spectators. 
No  gambler  that  I  know  of  has  ever  yet  done  any  good  for  him- 
self on  the  turf. 

Formerly  it  was  amusing  to  see  a  young,  just-fledged  sport, 
with  a  badge  fluttering  from  the  breast  of  his  coat,  while  strut- 
ting up  and  down  the  quarter-stretch,  and  calling  out  the  name 
of  his  favorite,  and  laying  his  money  upon  him.  He  thought  the 
position  stylish,  and  imagined  himself  the  observed  of  all  observ- 
ers. His  knowledge  of  horse-flesh  was  about  as  profound  as  that 
of  a  citizen  of  Venice,  and  he  was  backing  his  favorite  because 
some  jockey  or  stable-boy  had  given  him  a  "  point "  that  he  was 
a  "  rattler,"  or  perhaps  he  himself  had  seen  him  win  a  race  the 
previous  spring  or  fall.  But  ho  never  once  gave  a  thought  to  Iiis 
present  condition,  what  weight  he  was  to  carry,  or  the  abilities 
of  his  competitors.  Such  considerations  did  not  for  a  moment 
perplex  his  brain.  T"  lay  his  money  was  all  h".  wanted,  and 
sooner  than  fail  in  that  object  ho  would  give  long  odds.  This  isa 


188 


WAKDERINGS  OV  A  VAGABOND. 


fair  sample  of  the  reckleBs  manner  in  which  gamblers  wquander 
their  money  on  tl  lo  turf.    Since  pool-selling  has  become  the  cus- 
tom,  ihe  gamblers  <iock  to  the  pool-rooms  in  the  city,  dmnag  a 
race  meeting,  or  to  the  pool-stands  on  a  race-course.    They 
pitch  upon  their  favorites  without  any  knowledge  of  their  capa- 
bilities, except  such  as  they  learn  from  the  turfmen,  and  w. 
often  run  one  up  in  the  pool,  in  their  eagerness  to  get  him,  until 
he  is  made  a  favorite  largely  over  the  field ;  often,  too,  when  four 
or  more  horses  start  in  the  race.    Such  a  thing  as  a  horse  be- 
coming  a  favorita  over  the  field,  when  four  or  more  horses  start, 
is  in  England  a  thing  almost  unknown.    In  the  palmy  days  of 
Gladiateur,  when  practical  turfmen  were  convinced  that  Eng- 
land had  no  horse  to  equal  him  in  speed,  tho  odds  were  never 
more  than  two  to  one  in  his  favor  when  as  many  as  five  horses 
contended  for  the  prize.     English   book-makers   have    been 
generally  successful  on  the  turf,  simply  because  they  have  in- 
variably b  icked  the  field.  "  It  is  only  fools,"  say  they,  and  their 
opinions  should  bo  of  some  value,  "  that  will  nick  u  horse  in  a 
race  "    There  are  but  few  professional  book-makers  that  have 
not  made  themselves  an  independent  fortune  in  the  business 
There  are  no  intelligent  turfmen  in  this  country,  of  th-rty  years 
standing,  who  will  not  acknowledge  that  they  might  now  be 
wealthy  had  they  laid  their  money  on  the  field  mstead  of  the 

favorites.  ,  . 

It  would  seem  that  their  constant  losses  on  the  turf  for  many 
vears  would  have  disgusted  gamblers  with  the  sport  of  racing 
altogether.    Such,  however,  is  not  the  case ;  at  any  rate  with  a 
large  majority.    To-day  they  are  ready  to  re-commit  the  lollies 
of  yesterday,  and,  as  few  of  them  ever  take  the  trouble  to  think 
on  the  subject,  I  think  it  very  unlikely  they  will  improve.    I 
Bh-]1  ''ore  mention  another  great  drain  on  the  pockets  of  gamb- 
lers or  at  least  some  of  the  more  successful  of  them.    As  soon  as 
thev  have  accumulated  $40,000  or  $50,000,  their  ambition  is  to 
own  a  stable  of  racers  or  trotters.  Tbsy  expect  to  reap  from  this 
notoriety  as  well  as  gain.    Such  gabblers  have  a  very  imper  ect 
knowledge  of  horseB,  at  best  j  consequently  are  obliged  to  call  to 
their  aid  some  trainer  of  experience,  and  these  gentry  never 
let  a  fat  pigeon  escape  their  fingers  until  they  have  plucked  him 
clean      They  use  the  gaml)ler  that  falls  into  their  clutches 
much  the  same  as  a  raccally  lawyer  uses  his  rich  client.     When 


gamblers  wquander 
lias  bcromo  tho  cus- 
1  tho  city,  during  a 
racc-courao.    Thoy 
ledge  of  tbeir  capa- 
3  turfmen,  and  will 
sss  to  get  him,  until 
jften,  too,  when  four 
ling  as  a  horse  be- 
ir  more  horses  start, 
I  tho  palmy  days  of 
onvinced  that  Eng- 
the  odds  were  never 
many  as  five  horses 
makers   have    been 
jcause  they  have  in- 
"  say  they,  and  their 
ill  pick  u  horse  in  a 
»k-makcrs  that  have 
mo  in  tho  business, 
mtry,  of  th'rty  years' 
they  might  now  be 
)  field  instead  of  the 

on  the  turf  for  many 
I  tho  sport  of  racing 
3 ;  at  any  rate  with  a 
re-commit  the  follies 
3  the  trouble  to  think 
thoy  will  improve.    I 
the  pockets  of  gamb- 
1  of  them.    As  soon  as 
0,  their  ambition  is  to 
:pect  to  reap  from  this 
have  a  very  imperfect 
y  ara  obliged  to  call  to 
id  these  gentry  never 
;hey  have  plucked  him 
Us  into  their  clutches 
lis  rich  client.     Wlieu 


THJE^  HORSE. 


139 


horses  are  bought,  it  is  by  recommendation  of  tho  trainer,  who 
hits  generally  on  such  as  are  broken  down,  and  whose  owners  are 
glad  to  get  rid  of  them  at  any  price.  Between  such  persons 
and  the  trainer  a  perfect  understanding  exists,  and  the  horses 
are  sold  for  four  or  five  times,  and  some  times  even  ten  times  as 
much  as  they  would  fetch  at  an  ordinary  sale ;  and  tho  trainer 
pockets  the  lion's  sh.are  of  the  spoils,  out  of  which  he  fleeces  his 
master,  with  as  little  compunctions  of  conscience  as  if  he  were 
really  giving  him  his  best  judgment  and  advice.  If  the  horses 
are  racers  they  never  win  a  stake  for  their  owaer,and  the  expens- 
es of  his  stable,  cost  of  entries  and  transportation,  his  losses  by 
backing  them,  to  say  nothing  of  what  he  is  chiseled  out  of  by 
his  enterprising  trainer,  finally  drains  him  of  bis  last  dollar,  and 
when  he  wants  to  turn  hip  horses  into  money,  no  one  will  buy 
them  on  any  terms  whatever,  and  they  are  left  worthless,  as  they 
are,  on  his  hands.  Such  has  been,  in  nine  cases  out  of  every  ten, 
the  fate  of  gamblers  whoso  evil  genius — ambition — has  led  them 
on  to  the  turf.  Those  who  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  trotting 
men  havonot  fared  one  whit  better;  infact,  if  possible,  they  have 
fared  worse ;  their  downfall  has  certainly  been  more  speedy.  If 
a  shrewd  trotting  trickster  can  flatter,  persuade,  or  cajole  him 
into  the  purchase  of  a  fast  trotting  horse,  ho  is  lost.  No  artifice 
is  left  untried  to  convince  him  his  newly-acquired  purchase  has 
extraordh)f.r>  speed.  When  this  is  accomplished  ho  is  easily  in- 
duced to  match  him  against  a  horse  which  his  steerers  have 
already  agreed  upon  for  him,  and  which  thoy  know  can  outspeed 
his  with  the  greatest  ease.  Hundreds  of  gamblers  have,  from 
time  to  time,  been  inveigled  and  ruined  in  this  manner  by  trot- 
ting men.  The  latter  know  right  well  that  no  class  of  men  will  bet 
their  money  so  recklessly  on  a  mere  fancy  as  gamblers ;  conse- 
quently they  are  ever  on  the  alert  to  fleece  them.  Gamblers 
have  been  too  often  the  victims  of  their  wily  tongues ;  and  if* 
they  continue  to  do  so  they  will  surely  fall  victims  to  their  insid- 
ious artifices. 


140 


-WANDEBIlfGS  Of  A  VAGABOND. 


n 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

WASHINGTON  CITY. 

money  waa  so  Pl^ntiM  during  i  ^^^  ^^.^^ 

wiuter,  —  «'yr '"?„?LrirLdS°ke  Ta*  wto  Jock 

tienco  they  might,  ^^  ^f  *  ^'  ^;'\„^i     ^nt  them  relief.    Be- 


I 


(SZ). 


WASHINGTON  CITT. 


141 


the  crowds  drawn 
ry  had  all  dispersed, 
nanacled  siavea,  had 
.  festive  city,  where 
r  and  fall,  waa  now 
ambler.    The  Major 
r  stay,  had  derived  a 
rom  our  share  of  the 
o  prospect  of  making 
jssrs.  Lane  &  Wilson, 
n  Washington  for  the 
nakers,  office-holders, 
like  cattle,  who  flock 
Qgress,  as  crows  to  a 

iirable  suite  of  rooms, 
•avagautly.    In  those 
p  in  such  sumptuous 
e  days ;  in  fact,  noth- 
ugh,  as  is  always  the 
lays  are  over.    Such 
3d  of  persons  having 
waiting,  with  what  pa- 
istitution  to  open  the 
;rant  them  relief.    Be- 
[ce-seekers  bided  their 
SVe  found  in  the  place 
,ut  still  many  strangers 
ign  there.    Five  faro- 
full  operation,  one  of 
atic  order,  where  none 
ials,  senators,  membei-s 
itors,  and  their  invited 
entertained  gratuitous- 
est  wines,  liquors,  and 


cigars.  It  ^as  owned  and  coiKliK'tcd  by  persons  calling  them- 
selves gamblers,  from  Baltimore,  who  lived  in  extravagant  style, 
separated  themselves  from  the  others  of  their  ohuss,  and  would 
no  more  think  of  speaking  to  a  common  gambler  on  the  street 
than  a  savagely  virtuous  matron  would  be  seen  in  conversation 
with  one  of  the  frail  sisterhood.  None  of  the  other  gamblers 
were  invited  to  their  rooms;  consequently  the  means  by  which 
such  an  extravagant  establishment  was  kept  up  was  known  only 
to  its  owners.  The  other  faro- rooms  in  the  city  wore  conduct- 
ed on  pretty  much  the  same  basis  as  our  own ;  that  is,  wo  made 
no  distinction  between  our  patrons,  treated  them  all  wit '  .iiity, 
furnished  them  with  liquors  gratuitously,  and  playc'  exclu- 

sively. We  however  ga\o  to  our  patrons  a  limit  .  ^2'>,  and 
$100.  But  one  other  room  in  the  city  (knowing,  of  course,  noth- 
ing about  what  the  exclusive  bank  gave),  gave  the  same  limit. 

This  place  was  owned  by  a  man  of  the  name  of  Samuel  Shirley, 
who  had  for  many  years  conducted  a  gambling-house  in  Wash- 
ington, and  had  drawn  upon  lilmself  the  ill-will  of  the  other 
gamblers  of  the  place,  on  account  of  bis  haughty  disposition  and 
supercilious  manners. 

He  was  a  very  timid  gambler,  and  the  previous  winter  had 
placed  so  small  a  limit  on  his  gr.me  as  to  virtually  drive  away 
those  gamblers  and  others  who  desired  to  play  heavily.  By  this 
means  he  secured  the  play  of  treasury  clerks,  and  sorc?  of  those 
from  others  of  the  departments,  and  from  these  ho  managed  to 
make  a  respectable  living. 

A  month  or  so  before  our  coming  to  Washington,  there  ar- 
rived in  the  place  two  gamblers  from  Georgia,  who  bought  an 
interest  in  his  house,  and  opened  a  faro-bank,  to  which  they  in- 
vited all  the  gamblers  in  the  vicinity,  ofl'oriug  them,  if  they 
would  come  there  to  play,  a  l?.rgcr  limit  than  any  other  house 
that  could  be  found  in  the  city.  The  principal  moneyed  faro-play-^ 
ers  accepted  the  invitation,  to  their  misfortune,  as  the  bank  dealt 
with  more  than  usual  success.  The  new  comeis  were  a  Mr. 
George  Simpson,  a  man  of  about  fifty,  and  his  partner,  Mr.  John 
Cotton,  about  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Those  persons  were 
strangers  to  the  gambling  fraternity  of  Washington,  no  one  in 
tt ,  city  knowing  anything  either  of  them  or  their  histories. 
Av.ording  to  the  elder,  Mr.  Simpson,  he  had  been  a  negro- 
trader  and  a  horse-trader,  had  roamed  for  several  years  over 


L 


* 


142  WANDERIN09  OF   A   VAUAUOND. 

the  South  and  Southwest  with  a  stable  of  quartor-horsos,  and 
while  in  this  business  amused  himself,  as  he  expressed  it,  by 
"dealintr  a  came  of  faro  occasionally,  when  I  camo  across  a  good- 
uatured  set  of  boys  with  plenty  of  cash."    Mr.  Simpson  was  a 
large  heavv-set  man,  with  sandy  hair  and  whiskers,  whdc  his 
eyeb  ows  and  lashes  were  nearly  white.    I  said  he  was  fifty 
years  of  age,  but  he  looked  much  younger.    H.s  flof'    f«««^J" 
ihe  picture  of  health,  and  his  blue  eyes  yet  sparkled  w  h  the 
Are  of  youth.    His  favorite  attire  consisted  of  a  green     shad- 
bellied"  coat,  with  long  flaps  hanging  over  its  many  P"«^kot9,  and 
ornamented  with  rows  of  bright  brass  buttons  embossed  with 
rampant  steeds  in  the  last  stage  of  prancing.    His  vest,  of  green 
ve™e?,  was  adorned  with  round  gold-varnished  buttons,  on  each 
of  which  a  dog's  head  shone  conspicuous,  and  which  also  pos- 
Ised  wide  pockets  covered  by  deep  flaps.    His  nether  hmbs 
were  encased  in  a  pair  of  drab  inexpressibles,  the  bottoms  of 
which  had  modestly  retired  from  public  view,  into  the  legs  of  a 
pair  of  red-top  hunting-boots.    A  broad-brimmed  ^^t  cmered 
his  head,  and  in  the  voluminous  ruffle  which  sprang  from  his 
shirt  bosom,  sparkled  a  largo  and  valuable  diamond.    He  wore 
a  high  shirt  iollar,  and  around  his  neck,  below  it,  the  ample 
folds  of  a  largo  red  silk  handkerchief.  •  A  heavy  embossed  chain, 
from  which  dangled  a  few  seals  and  a  miniature  jockey's  cap, 
3le,  spurs,  horse-shoes,  whip,  etc.,  hung  from  h>8  watch-fob 
5Jr.  ^mpson  wa«  a  sociable  personage,  liberal  with  his  money  m 
a  bar-room,  had  an  exalted  opinion  of  himself,  and,  bemg  very 
loquacious,  seemed  desirous  of  convincing  every  one  ho  met,  of 
the  immense  superiority  of  Mr.  John  Simpson.    Mr.  John  Cot- 
ton, his  partner,  had  a  fat,  stupid-looking  fa^e,  the  cheeks  and 
upper  lip  being  covered  with  a  small  crop  of  peach-down;  but 
Kg  wall  eyes  failed  to  give  forth  one  spark  of  intelligenco  as 
he  talked  with  you  or  pursued  his  business.    His  hair  wa  3  tow- 
colored,  as  were  also  his  eyebrows,  the  hairs  of  whieh  were  few 
and  far  between.    Some  fashionable  tailor  of  the  period  had  ex- 
hausted his  art  m  order  to  render  him  resplendent  m  broaddoth 
and  fine  linen,  and,  "Solomon,  In  all  his  glory,"  certainly  was  not 
arrayed  Uke  him.     In  his  ruffled  shlrt-bosom  also  blazed  a 
diamond,  while  a  large  gold  chain  hung  loosely  from  his  neck  to 
his  fob,  where  it  was  attached  to  a  small  gold  watch.    Sbiriey 
and  Cotton  were  both  unsocial,  and  of  a  tafliturn  disposition;  but 


30N1>. 

f  quartor-borsos,  and 
1  he  expressed  it,  by 
I  camo  across  a  good- 
Mr.  Simpson  was  a 
d  whiskers,  while  his 
I  said  ho  was  fifty 
.    Hia  florid  face  was 
yet  sparkled  with  the 
ed  of  a  green  "shad- 
its  many  pockets,  and 
uttona  embossed  with 
ig.    Hia  vest,  of  green 
ished  buttons,  on  each 
I,  and  which  also  pos- 
ips.    His  nether  limbs 
ssibles,  the  bottoms  of 
now,  into  the  legs  of  a 
-brimmed  hat  covered 
A-hich  sprang  from  his 
lie  diamond.    He  wore 
U,  below  it,  the  ample 
heavy  embossed  chain, 
ninlaturo  jockey's  cap, 
ng  from  hia  watch-fob. 
beral  with  his  money  in 
limsolf,  and,  being  very 
Ig  every  one  he  met,  of 
npson.    Mr.  John  Cot- 
ig  face,  the  cheeks  and 
9p  of  peach-down;  but 
spark  of  intelligence  as 
less.    His  hair  waj  tow- 
lairs  of  which  were  few 
or  of  the  period  had  ex- 
(splendent  in  broadcloth 
glory,"  certainly  was  not 
rt-bosom  also  blazed  a 
loosely  from  his  neck  to 
all  gold  watch.    Shiriey 
taciturn  disposition;  but 


WASUIXOTON   CITT. 


143 


whatever  wa.s  lost  to  the  firm  from  their  resorvo,  was  more  than 
overbalanced  by  the  loquacious  and  braggart  Simpson. 

Tho  firm  of  Sliirloy,  Simpson  Sc  Cotton,  received  some  rough 
handling  from  tho  tongues  of  tiio  sports  who  frequented  our 
rooms,  many  of  whom  had  lost  their  all  (agniust  tho  concern), 
consequently  retained  no  very  good  feeling  toward  any  of  its 
members. 

"  I  wonder  where  Shirley  ever  picked  up  that  horse-thief, 
Simpson  ?"  inquired  a  toothless  old  sport  named  Crane,  an  old 
resident  of  Washington,  and  a  rather  heavy  loser  (against  the  firm 
mentioned).  Tho  question  was  asked  one  ovoniug  in  cur  rooms 
when  no  pluy  was  going  forward,  but  several  gamblers  present, 
some  of  them  citizens  of  tlio  place,  but  tlio  majority  of  them 
strangers.  Tho  subject  had  been  brought  up  by  one  of  tho  party 
relating  how  many  bets  ho  had  lost  there  consecutively,  on 
several  occasions,  while  playing  aga!..ot  Cotcou's  dealing. 

"  Picked  up  hell !  "  said  a  follow  in  reply  to  Crane's  question. 
"He  don't  know  enough  to  pick  up  anything,  unless  it's  a 
pocket-book  that  isn't  his'n,  tho  consumptive  snipe." 

"Maybe  Simpson  picked  up  Shirley,  who  knows?"  chimed  in 
another  gentleman. 

"  Shouldn't  be  surprised ;  that  feller  Simpson  knows  his  p's  and 
q's;  he  ain't  no  fool,"  said  the  man  who  had  replied  so  con- 
temptuously to  Crane's  question  in  tho  flrst  place. 

"  I'll  bet  he's  one  cf  ilurrill's  gang!"  cried  Crane. 

"Did  you  ever  notice  how  skeered  that  rabbit-faced  feller. 
Cotton,  is  o'  him  ?  Them  moon  eyes  o'  his'n  are  alius  looking 
arter  Simpson  when  he's  dealing,  as  if  he  was  doin'  sutbin'  he'd 
no  business  to,  and  was  afraid  of  catching  hell  for  it.  Why,  he'd 
overlook  all  the  bets  he'd  win,  if  Shirley  waru't  a  lookin'  out  fur 
him,"  said  another  of  those  present. 

"  He  deals  so  confounded  lucky,  that  he  can  afford  to  over* 
look  half  he  wins  and  then  break  his  party,"  said  a  gentleman 
in  reply. 

"  He  looks  to  me  as  if  he  was  dug  out  of  old  Simpson  with  a 
crow-bar ;  I  wonder  if  he  isn't  his  son,  Crane  .  '  asked  a  Wash- 
ingtonian  present,  by  the  name  of  Jones. 

"No,  he  aint,"  snarled  Crane;  "ho  don't  look  no  more  like 
Simpson  than  a  bob-tailed  cur  looks  like  a  bridle  ox." 

"Look  a  here,  boys!   There's  something  damn  strange  any- 


144 


WAVDF.niN08  OF  A 


VACiABONl). 


bow,  ahont  thatstablc  of  Shirely'H."  broke  n  f'     '  "J^  ,.  ''j^,,'^; 

t  .n..ro  than  ten   ycarK.  a.ul  he's  all-M.,  been  '^J;'"-^     ^ 
ha,l.lor,  and  wouldn't  mix  In  with  gan.bh-r.  no  i  N    U  th 

fall  ho  conios  and  tolls  mo  hCs  'open.'d  loi  horse,  """  -  ^ 
Sdin«'  iml  tolls  'cm  all  t..  cmo  ami  play  a«ms  'cm;  ^^o\\ 
? S  ^;ll  wliu  aKin  '.MO,  and  whar'syour  ^-^^^..^^^ 
Lin  them  fellers  eight  hundred,  and  <Uunn  mo  it  I  hadn  rather 
ch  ked  t  into  the  river  than  them  thieves  should  have  It. 
TbaVs  my  Bcnthnents  about  the  nudtor,  publ cly  express  d.'  ^^ 
"Don't  cry  for  your  money,  Jacksoy,  arler  youvo  lost  It, 

Banc  out  the  consoling  Crano.  rntnrtPrl  the 

..I  cries  as  little  fur  my  money  as  any  of  yo,     J ^''^^'^  ;° 

ust  onrwhy,  Ibeat  'em  out  of  a  hundred  and  lilty  in  less  than 
-J S;:.°"!S  S-  S-'-S-Ct'L,  one  or  ..0. 

»^f,ro?rr^;;^'."-^^^^^^^^ 

forKot'l  reckon  when  Pringle  imported  one  'o  th«m 'ere  felk^^^^^^^^ 
Sicbmond,  an'  how  he  played  strippers  on  you,  'mongst  the  rest 

^'"''no*  I  haven't," rep.ied  his  friend,  "nor  have  I  forgotten  he 

£ir"«:thoi'n:r:rp;jiSrv^ 

nothinff  about  it  till  the  scoundrel  was  detected. 
S  no  .l^ys  sure  'o  that  'are,"  doggedly  rephed  Jack8on. 


i 


BOND. 

In  for  tho  first  time  an 
'vo  known  that  ffUor 
rt  l)pen  iifoiiriMi  of  liis 
1-8,  no  how.  Well,  thin 
(1  for  horse,  niiu',  or 
[)hiy  asnist  'cm;  well, 
money  t  rvedroi)iM>il 
11  mo  If  1  hiuhi't  ratlicr 
it'VOH  Hhould  have  It. 
ublicly  oxi)re88C(l." 
arler  you've  lost  It," 

ly  of  yo,"  rctortod  the 
)cs  lose,  I  liko  to  do  it 
Vhat  fur  do  thoy  alius 
\  what  I  want  to  know  ? 
jor  ni^'ht,  to  got  him  to 

five  hundred,  too,  agin 
iko  a  deal  fur  mc.  only 
3d  and  lifty  in  less  than 
unps,  like  a  snake  'd  bit 

'ere,  hey?"  asked  Mr. 
)W,  gentlemen,"  he  con- 

"Ib'leevo  a8h)W  them 

Bed  gambler  liko  you  to 

ends. 

nd  I  just  b'leevo  It's  true, 

jatically. 

ike  to  find  one  of  those 

the  trick  is  done." 

I,  with  a  sneer,  "you've 

,  one  'o  them  'ere  fellers  to 

5  on  you,  'moDgst  the  rest 

"  nor  have  I  forgotten  he 
make  tracks  out  'o  that, 
CHso  Pringle,  for  he  know 
detected." 
godly  replied  Jackson. 


WASHINC.TON   CITV. 


urt 


"Well,  unless  you  are  Ruro,  you  have  no  right  to  sponk  of  such 
a  tiling,  nor  iiave  you  any  right  to  talk  of  Shirley's  game  in  the 
manner  wlileh  you  have  done.  I've  lieen  around  their  game  an 
much  as  any  one,  and  I  don't  think  I've  seen  a  dozen  splits 
altogether;  that  don't  look  much  like  playing  strippers,  does  itf 
Cotton  is  always  in  the  dealing  cliair,  you  complain.  Tliey  keep 
him  tiiero  Itecauso  lie's  lucky,  and  if  you  wore  interested  ir  tho 
game  you  would  do  tlie  same  ;  at  least  I  know  I  should.  Shirley 
Is  too  scary  to  deal  a  largo  game  of  farn,  and  as  far  as  Simpson 
iB  concerned,  he  i)rol)ably  knows  more  about  a  horse's  foot  tliau 
he  does  about  a  pack  of  cards." 

"  You  can  all  think  jist  as  you  please,  gentlemen,  this  'ore's  a 
free  country,"  saitl  Mr.  Jackson,  not  the  best  pleased  in  tho 
world  that  his  friend  should  set  up  a  dofonse  of  these  parties 
against  his  declared  suspicions,  and  tho  want  of  active  sympathy 
shown  to  him  by  his  listeners.  "  You  can  think  jist  asyou  please, 
but  no  more  o'  my  money  does  them  there  fellers  get  a  ciianco  to 
handle.    I've  had  enough  o'  their  (,'amo,  mind  that,  gentlemen !" 

"  You've  an  undoulitcd  rig'.it  to  do  as  you  please  with  your 
own  money,  Jackson,  but  you  ha  uo  right  to  accuse  any  one  of 
cheating  unless  you're  able  to  prove  it.  Supposing  now,  some 
outsider  were  to  hear  you;  they  would  naturally  suppose  if  a 
professional  gambler  could  bo  cheated  at  fi'ro  that  they  were 
cheated  every  time  they  lost  against  tho  bank.  It  won't  do  to 
wag  your  tongue  m  such  a  careless  way,  Jackson,"  said  his 
friend. 

"I'm  glad  to  hear  you  express  yourself  so  clearly  on  this  point, 
sir,"  said  the  Major.  "Gamblers,  sir,  are  prono  to  give  too 
much  license  to  their  tongues,  sir,  and  it  has  never  done  them 
any  good,  but,  on  tho  contrary,  much  evil,  sir." 

When  our  visitors  had  left  us  that  night,  the  Major  said  to  me, 
"Now,  Jack,  you  sec  what  envy  and  selfishness  will  do.  Those 
fellows  who  wore  abusing  Simpson  and  his  partners  have  no  other 
cause  for  doing  so  than  because  they  could  not  beat  their  bank, 
and  because  they  could  not,  thoy  are  trying  to  injure  the  fair 
name  of  those  gentlemen.  Had  they  been  successful,  Mr.  Simp- 
son and  his  associates  would,  no  doubt,  be  a  'devilish  nice  set  of 
fellows,  sir,'  and  should  wo  bo  so  lucky  as  to  win  any  of  their 
money,  it's  probable  they  will  blackguard  tis  in  the  same  manner, 
sir." 


14G  AVAKDERISGS  OF  A  VAGAHOND. 

u  Well  Major,  if  thev  are  willing  to  stand  tlic  lo«i-^g' ^'"^^JT"; 

Bomc  of  the  gambling-houses  of  Richmond  f  ^      ^^^^^^ 

"  Well,  sir,  it  happened  r.bout  a  year  ago  m  Mi .  P"»^f\7"?f 

r^'y  man  at  tlio  taWo  b«  l»ses,  ami  tocliarged  the  young 

vited  us  to  call  on  him  at  his  faro-rooms,  which  we  promised  w 
To  It  was  however,  nearly  a  month  befo.e  we  availed  our- 
SVesV^sinvitatioa ;  our  re^on  fm-  not  r^.^^^ 

St^rouJr?  r^^^SL^^-t^^ 

Ct  h  grerdelightwas  in  telling  the  Major  ^^uesot^^ 
nuarter-racing:  how  ae  had  escaped  the  snares  spread  to  entrap 
2^%  how'in  every  instance  he  out-jockeyed  his  advers.^^^^^^^ 
His  free,  open  manner,  his  rollicking  stories-whichhe  told  weU 
-besides  his  knowledge  of  horses  and  ^^'^J^S'^^^'^  ™f  ^.^^^^ 
a  favorite  with  the  Major.  The  little  good-natured  an^  p^^^^ 
ant  attentions  which  he  paid  me,  and  which  are  seldom  met 
with  from  elderly  people  towards  youths  ^.^  ^^f «' ^^^^  Jit^ 
tering  to  my  pride,  and  I  naturally  conceived  a  mgh  opinion 


ul  tlic  losiag,  I'm  wil- 
l,  smiling.  "But  what 
•ipperb  were  played  in 

)iu  Mr.  Pringlo's  house, 
svas  introduced  to  him 
r,  besides  being  honest, 
ing  in  the  house  for  a 
a  pack  of  8trii)pers  on 
about  it  at  the  time,  but 

most  emphatic  terms: 
the  matter,  paid  back 

discharged  the  young 

tare  they  intended?" 
'in  too  tatigucd  ^o-nigbt 
et's  be  otr." 

led  upon  us  a  few  days 
play,  vvhich  ended  with- 
in leaving,  invited  us  to 
uvitation  we  did  not  im- 
ised  along  a  week  or  so, 
ev  to  our  place  and  lost 
t  Mr.  Simpson  again  in- 
s,  which  we  promised  to 

befoio  we  availed  our- 

not  returning  their  civil- 
oess,  which  confined  us 
,  Simpson  would  drop  in 
or,  and  talk  over  racing 
lewas  pretty  well  versed. 

the  Major  stories  of  his 
le  snares  spread  to  entrap 
-jockeyed  his  adversaries, 
tories— which  he  told  well 
i  racing,  easily  made  him 

good-natured  and  pleas- 
id  which  are  seldom  met 
iths  of  my  age,  were  flat- 
conceived  a  nigh  opinion 


':j 


WASHINGTON  CITY. 


147 


of  Mr.  Simpson.  Ho  had  carefully  refrained  from  pressing 
his  invitation  to  call  at  his  faro-rooms  smce  we  had  so  ungra- 
ciously neglected  the  first  ones.  A  couple  of  weeks  or  so 
after  the  firm  of  Shirley,  Simpson  &  Cotton  had  received  such  a 
turning  over  in  our  rooms,  the  Major  concluded,  for  the  first 
time,  ho  would  return  the  numerous  visits  of  Mr.  Simpson 
and  the  calls  of  his  partners,  and  requested  me  to  accompany 
him.  We  had  closed  our  rooms  for  the  night,  it  being  about 
two  o'clock,  A.  M.,  when  we  started  across  the  avenue  to  Mr. 
Shirley's,  to  show  him  and  his  friends,  as  the  Major  expressed  it, 
",that  we  were  gentlemen  of  good  breeding."  Wo  found  no  one 
hi  the  room,  which  was  large  and  neatly  fitted  up  and  furnished, 
but  its  proprietors.  Cotton  was  seated  in  the  dealing-chair, 
with  his  two  fat  legs  on  the  lay-out.  Without,  in  any  respect, 
altering  his  position,  he  twisted  his  vague  countenance  into  what 
was  intended  for  a  smile,  and  drawled  out,  "  How-de-do,  Ma- 
geur?"  Of  myself  he  took  not  the  smallest  notice,  thinking, 
no  doubt,  I  was  the  Major's  young  man,  and  not  wortli  it. 

"Well,  by  glory!"  exclaimed  Simpson,  jumping  from  his  chair 
and  giving  the  Major  a  hug  like  that  of  a  grizzly-bear.  When 
he  had  squeezed  him  suSiciently,  he  turned  and  repeated  the  op- 
eration on  me.  "You've  found  out  the  way  over  hero  at  last, 
have  you  ?  Well,  by  George,  we'll  have  a  drink  on  that.  Major. 
Here,  Justice,  stir  your  stumps  and  let  the  Major  and  myself 
have  a  drink,"  said  Simpson  to  his  mulatto  boy.  "  Let's  have  a 
bottle  of  champagne,  Justice.  We  can  go  a  bottle,  eh.  Major  ? 
I  knew  it ! "  he  exclaimed,  when  the  Major  assented  with  a  nod. 

"  How  is  my  friend,  Mr.  Shirley  ?"  inquired  the  Major  of  that 
gentleman,  who  was  reclining  full  length  on  a  sofa,  having 
scarcely  noticed  our  presence. 

"  Very  bad,  very  bad  indeed,"  he  answered,  in  a  doleful  man- 
ner. ^ 

"No  wonder,  by  George !  How  can  a  man  expect  to  be  well 
when  you  can  scarcely  drive  him  out  of  the  house  for  a  mouthful 
of  fresh  air?"  said  Simpson,  addressing  his  conversation  to  the 
Major.  "  Fresh  air's  the  stufif  to  keep  a  man  alive,  if  he  only 
mixes  it  with  two  or  three  dozen  glasses  of  grog  every  day,  eh, 
Major?— ain't  that  so,  old  cock?"  asked  Simpson,  slapping  him 
on  the  back  with  his  open  hand. 

"Better  than  all  the  d— c'  doctor's  stuff  ever  invented."  m- 


I 


i 


r 


148  WANDERINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 

swcred  the  Major,  swallowing  at  the  same  moment  the  glass  of 
wine  just  handed  him  by  Justice. 

When  the  bottle  was  finished,  Simpson  said  good-naturedly, 
«'  There  Major,  is  my  young  man  at  his  post,  ready  to  receive  com- 
mm  aid  ni  tell  v.m  what,  olo  boy,  we  don't  get  scared  here  at 
am  thing  a  man  puts  down  to  us.  We're  blooded  ^tock  her° 
That's  it,  blooded  stock !  No  uian  shall  lea^^e  tl-  -om  havmg 
it  to  say  we  were  afeard  to  turn  for  hia  money.    Don  t  that  show 

""'"^tl  t^S^Li  that's  the  sort  of  gentlemen  I  like  to  gamble 
with,  when  I'm  flush  of  money,"  rejoined  the  Major. 

"  Well,  thar's  Cotton;  give  'em  a  hug,  ole  boy . 

"  Not  to-night,  sir !    I'm  not  in  a  playing  humor  to-mght,  Mr. 

'^^Wh"  t's  that  got  to  do  with  it?    Humor's  got  nothing  to  do 
with  winning  money  when  there's  a  chance  for  it     Ho  st  out  o 
there.  Cotton,  till  I  shuffle  np  for  the  Major."     ^he  la  er  did  as 
he  was  ordered,  and  Simpson  took  the  d.-aang  chau,  and  apaclt 
o  el  ds  w^handed  himN,y  Cotton.    When  he  hud  s  n.rded  and 

boxed  them,  he  bent  over  towards  us  ^^  iT^te  tLmitic '" 
thelay-out,cryingout, ''Hereweare,olestud!  I  cethemm^^^ 

The  Major  was  badgered  into  playing  against,  his  will ,  but  he 
bongSfty  dollars'  worth  of  checks,  and  to  keep  h.m  company  I 
invested  fifty  dollars  in  ivory  also,  with  the  determination,  if  I 
oltthat  t"  lose  no  more.  But  alas  for  the  mutability  of  human 
resoins  Where  one  person  will  make  and  keep  such  a  res- 
olulT  twenty  will  break  it,  and  be  insidiously  earned  away 
witHheir  first  loss,  and  keep  risking  more,  m  the  hope  of  re- 
crainintr  what  they  have  already  lost.  ,  ,  .    j    ,  „ 

Tn  two  deals  the  Major  was  the  winner  of  $375,  and  I  had  also 
been  fTrtunate  enough  to  pick  up  $140.  when  Simpson  sprang 
from  the  chair,  crying  out,  "  Here,  Cotton,  I'lHum  these  gentle- 
men over  to  you.    I  don't  believe  I'm  a  good  faro-dealer,  nohow. 

'''^^:}^Z:S^^^  than  old  ones;  but  if  they'd 
take'^'a^ie,  they'd  be  a  damn  ^^^Z^'^ 
let  gambling  alone,  and  follow  some  other  t^Yands  forcibly 
"That's  it.  Major,"  cried  Simpson,  slapping  his  hands  focibiy 
together.  "  I've  been  trying  to  beat  that  ^nto  Cotton's  knll  ever 
Bince  I've  known  him.    But  it's  too  infernal  thick  for  him  to  see 


SD. 

loment  the  gla8«  of 

id,  good-naturedly, 
jady  to  receive  coni- 
t  get  scared  here  at 
ilooded  stock  hero, 
e  this  room  having 
J.    Don't  that  show 

nen  I  like  to  gamble 
Major, 
boy !" 
humor  to-night,  Mr. 

's  got  nothing  to  do 
for  it.    Hoist  onto" 
"    The  latter  did  as 
ng  cliiiir,  and  a  pack 
.  he  hud  faniWed  and 
flapped  his  naud  on 
id !  Face  the  music !" 
inst.  his  will ;  but  he 
keep  him  company  I 
10  determination,  if  I 
mutability  of  human 
and  keep  such  a  res- 
diously  carried  away 
re,  in  the  hope  of  re- 

'  $375,  and  I  had  also 
7hen  Simpson  sprang 
I'll  turn  these  gentlo- 
od  faro-dealer,  nohow. 

old  ones;  but  if  they'd 
ickier  yet,  which  is  to 
business,  sir!" 
)ing  his  hands  forcibly 
nto  Cotton's  skull  ever 
il  thick  for  him  to  see 


WASHINGTON   CITY. 


149 


it,  so  he  can  go  to  hell  his  own  gait ;  ain't  that  sense,  eh  f  Here, 
Shirley,"  he  continued,  "  get  off  that  sofa,  and  come  and  lookout 
for  Cotton;  if  he  gets  losing  he  couldn't  see  a  white  steer  run 
across  the  table;  and  Justice,  open  another  bottle  o'  that  wine; 
we're  getting  infernal  thirsty  here." 

Mr.  Cotton,  without  hearing  the  remarks  of  his  partner,  put  the 
pack  with  which  ho  had  been  dealing,  in  the  card-box,  and  took 
from  it  a  fresh  one,  shuffled  it  up,  and  put  it  into  the  dealing-box. 
The  first  two  or  three  riffles,  which  he  gave  to  the  cards,  as  he 
began  shuffling,  attracted  my  attention.  The  sound  struck  on  my 
ear  as  harsh  and  unnatural.  Instead  of  that  mellow  sound, 
which  can  be  compared  to  nothing  but  a  covey  of  partridges 
starting  on  the  wing,  which  a  fine  pack  of  cards  give  forth,  in  the 
hands  of  an  expert  shuffler,  it  seemed  like  a  rough  pack  of  paste- 
board cards.  No  suspicion  of  wrong  crossed  my  mind  at  that 
time,  however.  The  Major  lost  $400  on  his  deal,  while  I,  playing 
small  and  cautious,  lost  $60.  Cotton  again  shuffled  his  cards, 
and  again  I  listened  for  the  unnatural  sound,  but  this  time  failed 
to  detect  it,  from  which  circumstance  I  concluded  I  had  been 
mistaken.  Several  deals  were  made  with  this  pack,  and  finally 
one  on  which  the  Major  got  oven,  and  won,  besides,  $20.  Cotton 
now  put  this  pack  away  and  took  a  fiosh  one,  and  in  the  shuf- 
fling I  again  detected  the  sound  which  had  struck  s'^  discord- 
antly on  my  oar  before,  and  on  this  deal  the  Major  lost  $600,  and 
I  $200.  Two  more  were  made  with  this  pack,  on  which  the  Major 
and  myself  won  a  few  hundreds,  when  Cotton  again  changed  the 
pack,  and  took  another  one  from  the  card-box.  My  ears  were 
now  on  the  alert  to  detect  that  singular  soand,  which  had  first 
surprised  me,  and  then  aroused  my  suspicions  that  some  fraud 
was  being  practiced  upon  us.  It  was,  I  had  observed,  when  a 
fresh  pack  was  brought  in,  that  we  scarcely  won  a  bet  on  a  deal, 
and  it  was  only  on  those  occasions  that  the  cards  gave  forth  that 
harsh  noise  while  being  shuffled.  Another  feature  of  Cotton's 
dealing  my  keen  sense  of  hearing  had  not  failed  to  detect,  as 
unnatural.  When  a  card  is  pushed  from  the  dealing-box,  while 
making  a  turn,  it  glides  out  with  a  nice,  fine  sound,  which 
falls  on  the  ear  pleasantly.  I  discovered  the  monotony  of  this 
sound  broken  in  upon  several  times  during  a  deal,  and  in  place 
of  the  easy,  gliding  sound,  the  cards  would  issue  from  the  box 
with  a  "cluck,"  as  if  the  mouth  of  the  box  were  choked;  and  I 


1150  WAXBEKIIfGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

that  our  beta  wero  picked  up  oU  ttc  ■ )  »»  °L  ulavas  at  faro 
cotton.  Tito  Idea  that  a ;!-''" ;»»!^*ulLbmonr  Late  one 
„„,er  onee  cro^  my  bram  uutu  I    a»  ■"  ^^J^       „^„„  „„„„ 

"'*'■  'T.  SSlTiVo'  ^profSSji  V'a  new  „iek 
Srorerrr^'afaroi^^^^^^^^^^ 

iriunrpo^sir;:^  HSeBr^ss 

wicticinc  it  upon  the  unwary,  and  that  the  sftrewaesi  b 
pracnciut,  it  "i^  greenest  fools.    On  tue 

stories  for  thirty  years;  but  said  JJf  J^^ °  ^^i,,^  ^1,0  went 
4.1  „.,   {,y   tiiPi  orirked  brains  of  the  crazy  gamuii.10  nuw 

the  subject  until  the  evening      l^^^   _:tii  rfx'ard  to  tbo  fair- 
ventilate  his  suspielona  at  »»   «.„^i''  If  Je,ame  time 

deal.     Simpson,  after  getting  ^^^^  ^'^.^^  ^^^'^ted  in  the  air, 
Ti  n^w  firml/  o^'nced  that  the  stupid  looking  youug 


t  to  these  <' clucks," 
by  thf;  fat  Gugeva  of 
;  his  players  at  faro 
;ichmond.  Late  one 
ibler  say,  when  none 
on,  that  a  new  trick 
mid  cheat  his  players, 

instead  of  one  at  a 

around  the  country 
3  shrewdest  gamblers 
eenest  fools.  On  the 
i  heard  to  the  Major, 
iler  could  cheat  his 
to  similar  nonsensical 

no  other  foundation 
r  gamblers  who  went 
n  all  matters  pertain- 
[  thought  no  iBore  on 
on  thought  propf^r  to 
th  regard  to  the  fair-^ 
e.  At  the  same  time 
ir  h-aving  been  played 

sulijects  aroused  my 
lade  the  Major  explain 
It  uses  they  were  put. 
;ivcd  from  him,  I  was 
ppers  on  us ;  but  I  felt 
;e  over  us,  which  alarm- 
home  immediately,  had 
already  $900  loser,  and 
Qce  over  him.     He  had 
Uso  his  neckerchief,  and 
le,  at  least  once  in  every 
B  going,  had  stretched 
I  feet  cocked  in  the  air, 
dant  tune  from  his  nasal 
p  in  the  look-out  chair. 
3  stupid  looking  young 
at  he  did  so  every  time 

cards,  I  played  along 


WASH  1X0  TON   CITY. 


151 


lightly,  being  now  loser  to  the  tune  of  $450,  and  kept  my  eyes 
and  ears  open  without  showing  him  that  I  harbored  any  suspi- 
cion, lie  continued  changing  his  cards  more  often  the  farther 
we  proceeded  in  om'  play,  until  ho  only  made  the  second  deal 
with  one  pack,  when  ho  cxchuugeil  it  for  a  fresh  one.  Another 
circumstance  strongly  coniirmed  my  suspicions  that  ho  was  rob- 
bing us.  1  noticed  that  several  times  during  a  deal  his  fore- 
flnger  and  thumb  would  press  heavily  against  tiiat  corner  of  tlie 
dealing-box  nearest  him,  and  that  whenever  he  did  so,  that  in- 
fernal "  cluck "  would  be  hoard  as  the  cards  fell  from  the  box. 
Then  for  the  flrst  time  the  thouglit  struck  me  to  count  the  cards 
as  they  came  from  the  box.  I  did  so  the  next  time  he  took  a 
fresh  pack,  and  found,  when  the  deal  was  ended,  that  but  forty- 
four  cards  had  left  the  dealing-box.  Without  a  word  being  spoken 
among  us,  he  sluiftlcd  up  the  same  pack,  and  gave  us  a  new  deal 
with  it,  on  which  the  Major  won  $550;  he  was  still  loser  of 
about  $1400,  and  I  was  loser  nearly  $GO(J.  Cotton  now  cast  the 
pack  aside,  and  took  anotlier  from  one  of  the  pigeon-holes  of  the 
card-box,  and  shuffled;  th(!  cards,  during  the  operation,  giving 
forth  the  strange  sound  which  flrst  attracted  my  attention.  I 
vfiis  now  alive  to  the  occasion,  and  determined  to  close  his 
career  for  tlie  present,  at  least  on  that  deal.  The  Major,  em- 
boldened by  his  success  on  the  preceding  deal,  commenced  laying 
his  money  heavily  against  the  bank,  hoping  to  retrieve  his  losses. 
On  the  flrst  turn  out  of  the  box  he  won  a  $100  bet.  Several  more 
turns  were  made  without  any  action  having  taken  place,  when 
Cotton,  straightening  himself  in  his  chair,  the  muscles  of  his 
thumb  and  fore-finger,  resting  on  the  corner  of  the  dealing-box, 
began  to  contract,  and  a  card  was  shoved  out ;  it  left  the  mouth 
of  the  box  with  a  cluck,  and  was  poised  between  the  fore-finger 
and  thumb  of  Cotton's  right  hand ;  but  before  he  had  time  to 
drop  it  on  the  pack  of  dealt  cards,  I  reached  across  the  tattle 
and  snatched  it  from  his  fingers ;  ttco  cards  were  there,  instead 
of  one.  I  separated  the  two  cards  witli  my  finger  and  thumb, 
and  held  them  both  up  before  the  terror-stricken  face  of  Cotton. 
"That's  nice  work,  Mr.  Cotton!"  I  said,  exnltingly,  shaking  the 
two  cards  in  his  face.  Si)eechless  and  dumbfounded.  Cotton  sat 
in  his  chair ;  nor  could  Shirley,  who  had  started  bolt  upright  in 
his  the  moment  I  snatclied  the  cards,  find  a  word  to  come  to 
the  relief  of  his  accomplice.    The  Major  could  not  understand 


I 


152 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


my  behavior,  and  stared  in  speechless  astonishment  at  me  for  a 
time,  and  tlicn  demanded.  "Wliat  tlio  devil"  I  was  "about, 
sir  I"  "Nothing  more  nor  less,  Major,  than  that  ihis  thief  has 
been  robbing  us;  and  here,''  I  cried,  holding  up  the  two  cards 
before  his  puzzled  face,  "are  the  proofs  of  his  guilt."  The  somid 
of  my  voice,  pitched  in  an  excited  key,  awolto  Simpson,  who 
sprang  to  his  feet  vith,  "Who  talks  of  robbing  f  What's  the  mat- 
ter here?" 

"  I  do,  Mr  Simpson,"  I  said,  in  a  quiet,  but  firm  tone,  and  with  a 
determined  manner.  "I  have  caught  your  dealer  robbing  us, 
and  here's  the  two  cards  I  snatched  from  his  fingers,  after  ho 
had  passed  them  from  tie  dealing-box  as  one,"  holding  up  the 
cards  for  his  inspection. 

"Nonsense!  nonsense!  We  rob  noliody,  boy,  here!  Major, 
your  young  man's  excited;  do  you  know  what  the  matter  i3 
with  him?" 

"He  says  we've  been  swindled,  sir,  and  if  I  find  it's  true,  look 
out  for  yourself,  sir,"  replied  the  irate  Major. 

"Now,  Major,  be  easy;  you're  a  sensible  man,  and  can  listen  to 
reason.  Mr.  Cotton,  explain  this  matter !  I  wouldn't  have  a 
misunderstanding  with  my  friend,  Major  Jcnks,  for  all  the 
damned  money  in  Washington.  Pray  explain  matters,  Mr. 
Cotton?" 

Cotton,  thus  adjured,  still  laboring  under  great  agitation,  coiMd 
barely  stammer  out,  "There's  n-n-nothing  the  matter,  sir, 
only  the  mouth  of  the  dealing-box  is  too  open  for  the  cards,  and 
two  sHpped  out  instead  of  one,  an'  ho  there,"  pointing  to  me, 
"thinks  as  how  there's  some  think  wrong,  that's  all  the  matter, 

sir." 

"My  dear  Major,  I  see  it  all !  It's  only  a  mere  accident.  You 
know,  yourself,  that  cards  will  frequently  slip  out  of  a  box  when 
the  mouth  is  a  little  too  open,  or  the  cards  a  little  too  thin.  It's 
nothing  more  nor  less,  I  assure  you,  gentlemen,"  explained  Mr. 
Simpson 

"  I'm  not  to  be  put  oflF  with  any  such  explanation,  Mr.  Simp- 
son," I  rephed. 

"But,  my  young  friend,  what  good  would  it  do  the  bank,  to 
drop  two  cards  instead  of  one,  or  even  five,  hey?" 

"I  don't  know,"  I  rejoined,  "but  that's  precisely  what  I  mean 
to  find  out;"  and,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  I  reached  over 
and  seized  hold  of  the  dealing-box  and  the  cards. 


IND. 

shraent  at  iiio  for  a 
ril"  I  was  "about, 
that  Ibis  thief  has 
g  up  tho  two  cards 
s  guilt."  Tho  sound 
yolto  Simpson,  who 
,g  f  What's  the  mat- 
firm  tone,  and  with  a 
•  dealer  robbing  us, 
his  fingers,  after  ho 
me,"  holding  up  the 

,  boy,  here!  Major, 
what  the  matter  is 

■  I  find  it's  true,  look 

lan,  and  can  listen  to 
I  wouldn't  have  a 
Jcnks,  for   all  the 

splain  matters,  Mr. 

[jreat  agitation,  could 
ag  the  matter,  sir, 
en  for  the  cards,  and 
ere,"  pointing  to  me, 
hat's  all  the  matter, 

mere  accident.  You 
lip  out  of  a  box  when 
a  little  too  thin.  It's 
smen,"  explained  Mr. 

cplanation,  Mr.  Simp- 
Id  it  do  the  bank,  to 
,  hey?" 

jrecisely  what  I  mean 
word,  I  reached  over 
I  cards. 


"WAfHltlfGTON  c      r. 


153 


"Stop,  sir !  We  don't  allow  any  one  to  meddle  with  our  tools," 
cried  Simpson,  advancing  to  take  tho  things  from  mo.  But  be- 
fore ho  could  accomplish  his  purpose,  the  muzzle  of  a  cocked 
pistol  was  staring  him  in  tlio  face.  My  action  was  so  unexpect- 
ed, tliat,  for  a  moment,  he  staggered  back  against  the  Major, 
crying  out,  "Uo  you  want  to  murder  me,  you  infernal  assassin?" 

"  Yes,  I  do,  if  you  interfere  with  mo  hero,"  I  said,  in  a  menac- 
ing manner. 

•'Don't,  for  God's  sake,  Jack,  do  anything  rash!"  ejaculated 
the  Major. 

Finding  now  that  I  had  matters  pretty  much  my  own  way, 
and  feeling  no  way  disposed  to  give  up  my  advantages,  I  calmly 
seated  myself  at  the  end  of  the  faro-table,  and  proceeded  to  ex- 
amine tho  cards,  Simpson  and  his  partners  standing  on  the  floor 
in  front  of  mo,  the  latter  not  daring  to  put  in  half  a  word,  let 
alone  a  whole  one.  I  placed  my  pistol  on  the  table  before  me, 
and  took  up  the  cards  and  leveled  them  side-ways  on  tho  table, 
and  then  inspected  the  sides  and  tho  ends  of  the  pack.  I  dis- 
covered that  one  side  had  been  trimmed  slightly;  that  is,  that  it 
had  a  serrated  appearance.  I  separated  the  narrow  cards  from 
the  full  ones,  that  is,  those  which  had  been  trimmed  from  those 
which  had  not  boon,  and  I  then  discovered  that  one-half  the 
cards  had  been  slightly  trimmed  near  the  corners  on  one  of  the 
sides  only,  while  the  other  half  of  the  pack  remained  untouched. 
I  found,  on  close  inspection,  that  the  trimmed  cards  were 
roughed,  by  some  process,  on  their  faces,  and  the  untrimmed  ones 
were  roughed  on  their  backs;  by  placing  tho  untrimmed  cards 
upon  the  trimmed  ones,  they  adhered  so  closely  a.s  to  appear  but 
a  single  card,  and  could  not  be  separated  until  spread  apart  by 
the  fingers  and  thumbs.  Simpson,  notwithstanding  the  cocked 
pistol  at  my  side,  did  not  permit  roo  to  pursue  my  investigations 
in  peace.  He  insisted  that  I  should  restore  to  him  the  dealing- 
box  and  cj:rd8,  and  repeatedly  informed  me  he  was  not  to  be 
brow-beaten  in  this  manner  in  his  own  house.  But  by  this  time 
the  Major  had  become  somewhat  sobered  up,  and  warned  him 
that  any  interference  from  him  would  result  in  his  receiving  a 
hickory  cane  over  his  head,  in  no  very  gentle  manner.  "But 
this  is  an  infernal  outrage,  Major,  and  I'm  not  a  going  to  put  up 
with  it,  damn  me  If  I  am,  sir." 

"He  must  examine  those  cards;  he's  lost  his  money  against 
them,  and  he  has  a  right  to  know  how  he's  lost  it,  sir." 


154 


■WANDEKINOS  OF  A  VAOArsOND. 


"I  Bay  ho  ain't  no  right  to  grab  a  map.'rf  cards  that  way,  and 
by  God  ho  shan't  do  it  in  my  ho'-so  neither,  recollect  that, 
Major  Jenlis ! " 

Cotton  and  Sliir'icy  now  for  the  first  bcRan  to  display  a  littlo 
courage  and  bluster    Tho  former  told  Simpson  to  send  the  boy 
for  a  policeman,  accouipunying  his  advice  with  tho  remark  that 
things  liad  como  to  a  pretty  pass,  when  a  man  was  to  bo  robbed 
in  his  own  house.    Without  paying  any  attention  to  their  threats 
or  bluster,  I  pitched  a  card  from  my  hand  to  tho  table,  then 
another,  and  another,  all  of  which  fell  as  a  single  ( ard.    I  then 
picked  up  each  card,  pressed  it  between  my  thumb  and  finger, 
when  it  separated  into  two  cards.     ''These  cards.  Major,"  I 
said,  "are  made  to  adhere  together,  in  order  that  two  maybe 
forced  from  the  box  at  once.    They  arc  stocked  in  advance;  tho 
trimmed  cards  are  all  nines,  tens,  jacks  and  trays,  fours  and 
fives.     Tho  untrimmod  ones  are  the  aces,  deuces,  kings,  queens, 
eights,  sevens,  and  p'xcs.    By  shoving  two  cards  from  tho  box 
at  once,  ono  o«"  tlioso  denominations  will  .ihvays  win,  while  tho 
others  will  as  invariably  lose.    Xow,  Major,  you  see  how  they've 
been  robbing  us  to-night ! " 

"It's  a  damned  lie!  You've  not  been  robbed,  and  you  only 
say  so  because  you  don't  want  to  give  up  the  money  you've  lost 
fairly."  cried  Simpson. 

Without  making  him  any  reply,  I  sprang  over  the  table, 
opened  the  card-lwx  where  the  money  was,  every  cent  of  which 
came  from  our  pockets,  and  conveyed  it  back  whence  at  least 
some  of  it  came,  viz.,  my  own  pocket,  no  attempt  being  made  to 
interfere  with  me. 
"I'll  have  you  arrested  for  robb'^ry !"  roared  Simpson. 
"Will  you,  though!"  I  answered  with  a  sneer:  "and  I'll  have 
the  three  of  you  in  the  penitentiary  for  swindling,  and  here's  my 
proof,"  I  cried,  holding  up  the  cards  and  dealing-box. 

"Major,  do  you  countenance  such  robbery  as  this?"  appealed 

Mr.  Simpson. 

"  I'll  show  you  whether  I  do  or  not.  Jack,  run  to  the  window 
and  cry  'police'  as  loud  as  you  can.  Damn  me  if  I  don't  have 
this  matter  settled  by  the  proper  authorities,  sir."  This  move- 
ment 0-  the  part  of  the  Major  was  a  stunner.  Simpson  believed 
him  to  be  terribly  in  earnest,  and  surrendered  at  discretion.  He 
wa«  the  only  one  of  the  firm  that  had  shown  any  courage  in  a 


ards  that  way,  and 
her,  recollect  that, 

in  to  display  a  littlo 
son  to  send  the  boy 
ith  the  remark  that 
an  was  to  bo  robbed 
ition  to  their  threats 
1  to  the  table,  then 
single  ( ard.    I  then 
y  thumb  and  finger, 
so  cards,  Major,"  I 
ler  that  two  may  bo 
ked  in  advance;  the 
ind  trays,  fours  and 
Duces,  kings,  queens, 
cards  from  the  box 
Iways  win,  while  the 
,  you  see  how  they've 

obbed,  and  you  only 
ie  money  you've  lost 

ang  over  the  table, 
,  every  cent  of  which 
aack  whence  at  least 
tempt  being  made  to 

red  Simpson. 

sneer:  "and  I'll  have 

adling,  and  here's  my 

ealing-box. 

iry  aa  this!"  appealed 

ik,  run  to  the  window 
in  me  if  I  don't  have 
ies,  sir."  This  move- 
er.  Simpson  believed 
red  at  discretion.  He 
)wn  any  courage  in  a 


WASHINGTON   CITY. 


].)■) 


bad  cause,  but  the  idea  of  public  exposure  r.-as  more  than  ho 
could  stand.  Not  that  he  was  ulVaitl  of  tlie  law— ho  was  well 
aware  that  there  was  nc  law  to  puni.sli  liiin  for  swindling  at 
caruc:  but  he  had  already  done  too  nuich  swindling  in  Wa.sh- 
ington,  and  exposure  would  drive  him  from  it,  and  brand  him  as 
a  sharper  wherever  ho  wont.  Hesides,  it  might  bring  down  on 
him  the  vengeance  of  some  of  his  victims  before  ho  could  get 
beyond  their  reach.  I  had  started  for  the  window  in  pursuance 
of  the  Major's  command,  when  I  was  arrested  by  llio  voice  of 
SJmp.son calling  out,  "Hold  on, young  man;  I  leckon  wo  can  set- 
tle our  little  dillikiltics  without  calling  in  the  perlieo,  dou'i  you, 
Miijor,  ehf" 

"Yes,  sir,  wo  can,  on  one  condition,  which  is,  that  you  ac- 
knowledge that  wo  were  swindled,  and  are  entitled  to  have  our 
money  back.  And  unless  you  do  so,  I  shall  place  this  matter  in 
the  hands  of  justice.  Do  you  accede  to  my  terms,  sir?"  de- 
manded the  Major,  bringing  his  cane  down  on  the  lloor. 

I  w;is  afraid  the  old  fellow  was  pushing  matters  a  littlo  too 
sti'ong;  I  wanted  only  to  get  our  money,  and  leave  the  place  as 
quietly  as  possible.  I  felt  immeasurably  relieved  when  Simpson, 
iustciid  of  rejecting  the  terms  indignantly,  as  I  fully  (wpectcd  ho 
would,  only  said,  in  a  deprecating  manner,  "  Well,  well,  ilajor, 
let's  take  a  drink  on  it,  all  'round,  and  let  by-gones  be  by-goncs." 

"No,  sir,  I'm  damned  if  I  do,"  said  the  Major. 

"Yes  you  will,  too.  Major,"  I  broke  in;  "let's  have  no  more 
hard  feelings  about  this  aflair,  but  forget  it  and  take  a  drink 
with  Mr.  Simpson." 

"No, sir!  I'm  damned  if  I  do,"  reiterated  the  Major,  bringing 
down  his  cane  with  an  emi)hatic  thump  on  the  floor.  "I'm  afraid 
his  liquor  would  poison  me,  sir ! " 

"You've  taken  many  a  dose  of  it  this  evening,  Major,  and 
you  ain't  dead  yet,"  said  Simpson,  laughing.  "But  come,  let  us 
shake  hands  and  be  friends.  You  can't  make  no  money  by 
bearing  malice;  come,  give  us  your  hand,  man,"  entreated 
Simpson,  holding  out  his  own. 

"No,  sir!  I  never  take  the  hand  of  a  thief,  if  I  know  him  to  be 
one."  Then,  turning  to  me,  said;  "Jack,  let's  get  out  of  this 
infernal  den !"  We  were  soon  in  the  street  and  on  our  way 
homo.  It  was  not  till  I  reached  my  room  that  I  discovered  that 
I  had  in  my  pocket  the  cards  and  dealing  box  which  I  had 


11 


iiti 


156 


WAXDEKIJfGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


taken  from  Cotton.  My  first  impulse  was  to  take  it  back ;  but  I 
reflected  that  I  was  ii'it  MilTiciently  acquaintod  with  the  work- 
inRS  of  the  box  and  cards,  and  was  very  dewirous  of  bcinfi  better 
versed  in  their  mysteries.  I  conchided  I  would  wait  until  next 
day,  when  I  would  restore  both  to  their  owners.  The  next 
cvoning  some  of  our  patrons  reported  that  the  rooms  of  Mr. 
Shirley  were  closed,  and  no  lights  to  bo  seen  about  the  promises. 
On  the  following  day  I  ascertained  that  the  furniture  had  been 
removed,  secretiy,  no  one  know  whither;  the  proprietors  were 
not  visible,  no*  could  any  one  tell  where  they  might  be  found. 
For  several  months  their  sudden  and  mysterious  departure  was 
the  subject  of  much  speculation  among  the  sporting  fraternity  of 
Washington  city,  but  uouo  were  made  any  wiser  by  eitlior  the 
Major  or  myself. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


JNVENTOES. 


The  person  who  first  conceived  the  idea  of  ironing  a  shirt  waa 
a  genius,  and  the  first  ship-builder  was  a  benefactor  to  his  race. 
80  says  Voltaire,  at  least,  and  he  was  a  gootl  judge.    We  have 
long  been  proudly  er^joying  ironed  shirts,  and  the  convenience  of 
ships,  without  knowing  or  in  the  least  caring  to  inquire  to  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  these  blessings.    The  inventions  of  mankind 
to  supply  our  wants  and  minister  to  our  pleasures   have  been 
many  and  various,  and,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  those  who  spent 
years  in  elaborating  them  are  lost  to  human  memory.    Many  a 
poor  wretch  has  consumed  the  best  years  of  his  life  in  trying  to 
produce  something  which  would  be  useful  to  his  fellow-men, 
and  has  gone  down  to  his  grave  without  meeting  with  even  a 
cold  acknowledgment  of  his  laboi-s— a  ruined,  disappointed  man; 
while  another,  more  fortunate,  would  seize  upon  his  invention 
and  enrich  himself.    The  origin  of  many  of  the  arts  is  lost  in  the 
darkness  of  ages.    In  the  vast      ipire  of  China,  even,  at  the 
present  day,  the  hand  of  the  man  of  genius  is  paralyzed  by  the 
thought  that  his  eflbrts  will  remain  entirely  unknown.     The 
same  want  of  respect  was  shown  to  inventors,  Avith  the  exception 
of  the  Greeks?  aad  Romans,  by  all  the  nations  of  antiquity.    The 


V. 

ake  it  back ;  but  I 
(1  with  tbe  work- 
ni9  of  bcinf?  better 
lid  wait  until  next 
iwncrs.  Tbo  next 
the  rooniH  of  Mr. 
,bout  the  promises, 
furniture  had  been 
)  proprietors  were 
r  might  be  found, 
ous  departure  was 
orting  fraternity  of 
viaer  by  eitlior  the 


ironing  a  shirt  waa 
lefactor  to  his  race, 
d  judge.  We  have 
I  the  convenience  of 
to  inquire  to  whom 
'^entions  of  mankind 
easures  have  been 
jea,  those  who  spent 
I  memory.  Many  a 
his  life  in  trying  to 

to  his  fellow-men, 
neeting  with  even  a 
,  disappointed  man  j 

npon  his  invention 
he  arts  is  lost  in  the 
China,  even,  at  the 
I  is  i)aralyzed  by  the 
ily  unknown.  The 
5,  with  the  exception 
IS  of  antiquity.    The 


INVENTOnS. 


157 


pyramids  of  Egypt  have  outlasted  the  names  of  their  designers. 
That  stupendous  mouuuieut  f.f  huiiiim  skill,  the  great  wall  of 
China,  one  thousand  five  hundred  miles  in  length,  thirty  feet 
high,  and  fifteen  feet  thick  on  the  top,  has  outlived  two  thousand 
centuries;  but  the  name  of  the  man  wli.)  ftrst  conceived  the 
grand  idea  of  building  it  is  unknown.    The  .lamcs  of  cut-throat 
warriors  and  stupid  princes  are  ever  carefully  preserved  in  the 
archives  of  nations,  but  the  manwho  invcntsa  life  or  labor  saving 
machine  is  left  to  die  unhonored  and  unsung.    It  is  only  within 
the  last  two  centuries  or  so  that  the  inventor's  talents  have  been 
properly  appreciated  and  acknowledged  among  Christian  nations, 
and  a  century  has  not  elapsed  since  they  have  been  bciicflted 
pecuniarily  in  any  proper  degree,  bv  the  productions  of  their 
brains.   At  the  present  day  a  new  novel,  drama,  picture,  poem,  or 
opera,  will  electrify  a  whole  nation  of  people  until  they  become 
tired  of  it,  when  they  will  toss  the  production  aside  like  a  child 
the  toy  which  no  longer  pleases  its  fancy.    Ch.inge  and  amuse- 
ment, or,  I  mifeht  say,  change  of  amusement,  is  as  necessary  to 
mankind  as  the  food  we  eat  or  the  air  wo  breathe.    And  in  these 
days  whoever  brings  forth  something  novel  to  instruct  or  amuse, 
(but  particularly  the  latter)  or  lessen  the  labors  of  his  race,  peana 
will  be  shouted  in  his  praise,  every  lip  will  repeat  his  name,  and 
wealth  will  be  showered  upon  him ;  and,  when  ready  for  planting, 
the  press  will  vie  with  each  other  in  giving  him  an  obituary. 

After  the  above  learned  disquisition,  I  will  come  to  my 
subject.  Card-playing  has  from  time  inmicmorial  contributed 
to  the  enjoyment  of  the  people.  Wo  are  told  by  some  writers 
that  cards  were  invented  by  one  Jaquin  Gringouneur  for  the 
amusement  of  his  mad  prince  (Charles  VII.  of  France) ;  but  it  is 
probable  that  this  assertion  of  history,  like  many  another  one,  is 
a  mistake.  Wo  find  mentioned  that  John  I.,  of  Castile,  in  1383^ 
prohibited  the  use  of  cards  throughout  his  dominions,  by  an  edict. 
It  is  believed  by  many  students  of  history  that  cards  were 
known  in  India  and  China  long  before  the  Christian  era. 
Nothing  produced  by  the  brains  of  man  has  offered  so  many 
and  various  kinds  of  amusements  as  cards,  or  been  so  lasting. 
Many  games  formerly  played  with  them  are  entirely  forgotten, 
others  obsolete,  and  now  ones  have  been  invented  to  fill  their 
places;  goods  and  monej,  cattle  and  horse?,  houses  and  lands, 
have  changed  hands  on  the  issue  of  these  games,  and  will  con- 


!-,S 


WANDERIN08  OF  A  VAOABOKt.. 


158 

name  of  tho  inventor  ot  a  sni«  c    "«    '  ,  ^       ^^^  ^^  ,„an- 

1„  it  because  tlieir  creations  ^•''•';,f  "' .'^7;;  ^^^^^^^^^^^  corsair, 
kind!  Why,  th.-.i.  neither  were  «^"''"^;/;;7;; ,  ^  „thors  will 
Nornm.  an.l  n.any  other  workH,  »  ';  "J.^j  ^^^  /  «ervo  to 
livetlnouwh  sueceedinR  aRCs.  j  \'*^  '  '  "^^  "^"Uan  Jo  .UHplay 
anumo  our  ^f-^^'-^^'';;'!^^Zn'tZttnMy,  but  HtiU 
quite  as  nuu-h  Renuis  -of  a  «>'";;"  Z,;;^.  ,,,,arnunt,'  conipo- 

Bitions.     llie  R.iim,  01  loi  ■' '  ,,„„,pritv    it  far  surpasses 

human  nmul;    tor  -;:;;';;:;;!^  ^^^^ Sumo    fro.n  buoyattt 
any  known  Ramo.     Men  have  «  "^^^      "  '  ^it,,„ut 

youth  to. lrivelinRaRe,«.ru,R  -  -.;;;;^S;,„  ,i:,„,,i,„3. 

!;:;:;;;L;rof*;;tirrah..i.^^^^^^^ 

l-^e^^h^M^ 

which  may  appear  at  a  whist  tal.le,  m  i"  mechonics, 

ami olh-i-  Itau.™  i.UiJ.J wiili  ™rd«  ^^    ^^ 

viate  in  any  respect  from  tho  law  «'  '  ^  .,^^^^^3  ^nd 

Ourcuutry  has  been  prolific  "V"rP,TmecUciMes  but  aa  vet 

telegraphs  down  to  matches  --^^^J-^^^  Trd  t  u  t  •«'  *  f^^^' 
none  have  invented  a  game  played  wltn  carus ,  , 

SJJare,  honest  game,  acknowledged  and  a1«l>f '  «  ^"^  ^f^ 
??.ehavc  heen  ^^eticionVn-^^^^^^^ 
not  been  wantmg  as  far  as  altering  inem 

lortd.     Sucb,  hoiewr,  1»  not  the  ca«.    Tte  g.|mW<!i «  »f  »1«" 
Tand  the  Somh  American  natlan.,  and  also  *"-«  "^  Eul^pe' 


w. 

iHtoncf) ;  fitill,  the 
n  irtimkiKtwii  to  us. 
cal  boiu'lU  to  inan- 
ihoo,  The  Corsair, 

whoso  authors  will 
ctiouH  only  serve  to 
K»f  chanco  display 

certainly,  but  still 
i\  cliarniinn  conipo- 
andest  ctVorts  of  the 
y,  it  tar  surpasses 
time,  from  buoyant 

its  moves,  without 
orily  to  themselves, 
irsued  their  favorite 
rlo  person  in  those 
iiibinations  of  hands 
nost  skillful  manner 
loiuatics,  mechanics, 

an  well  as  their  like 
ovements  on  a  chess- 
iou»  hands  at  whist 

be  well  posted  up  ia 
(hould  his  creation  de- 
!S8,  it  would  be  false. 
i,  from  railroads  and 
medicines,  but  as  yet 
cards ;  that  is,  a  fair, 
aopted  as  such.  But 
es  of  hazard,  wo  have 

to  suit  our  own  pur- 
ny  years  has  Iwen  pro- 
)inionamonf?  foreigners 
ntiflc  gamblers  in  the 
The  gamblers  of  Mexi- 

also  those  of  Europe, 

and  the  sharpers  of 
country  in  their  manip- 
iventive  powers  which 


nfVEKTORS. 


im 


have  caused  foreigners  to  have  so  high  an  opinion  of  our  gamb- 
ling talent.  Nearly  every  bankin.{  game  of  chance  which  has 
been  introduced  into  this  countiy  has  been  perverted  from  its 
original  fairness,  in  order  that  tli»t  percentages  miglit  bo  more 
favorable  to  the  l)ankers,  or,  wiiat  is  worse,  to  place  them  so 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  sharpers  that  they  can  Itid  defiance  to 
fortune  whenever  they  have  for  adversaries  men  iuiving  moro 
money  than  brams.  As  faro  has  in  this  eoimtry  more  play 
against  it  than  all  tlie  other  banking  games  comltiiied,  sjiarpers 
have  for  tlie  last  tifty  years  concentrated  on  it  their  talents,  for 
the  purpose  of  devising  cunning  schemes  for  swindling  both  the 
dealer  and  the  playei- ;  and  I  shall  now  make  it  uiy  butiuoaa  to 
exomiao  how  far  they  have  succeeded. 

FARO-  BOXES. 

In  desciibing  the  game  of  faro  I  stated  that,  previous  to  the 
Introduction  of  ti-.aso  boxes,  it  was  customary  for  the  dealer  to 
hold  the  pack  of  cards  face  downward,  while  he  turned  over  with 
his  right  hand  a  card  from  the  toi)  of  the  pack  This  was  the 
playerV  card  ;  he  then  turned  over  another,  which  was  for  the 
bank,  and  kept  on  doing  so  until  the  pack  was  exhausted.  This 
method  freipiently  placed  the  bank  at  the  mercy  of  shrewd  and 
keer-cyed  men  ;  a  blotch,  bend,  or  scratch  on  a  card  would  bo 
soBnient  to  give  them  a  very  decided  advantage  over  the  bank, 
and  cause  it  heavy  loss.  To  guard  against  such  aecid  snts,  faro- 
boxeb  were  introduced,  and  it  is  said  were  invented  in  the  year 
]'.:'22,  Lv  a  Virginian  by  the  name  of  Major  Bay  ley.  The  box 
which  ht  invented,  however,  wiw  a  clumsy  atlair  ;  it  was  wider 
than  it  was  long,  ,ind  was  covered  o.er  on  the  top,  except  an  ob- 
long hole  in  the  middle,  jusi  largo  enough  to  push  the  top  card 
from  the  box  with  a  single  finger.  The  cards  rested  in  the  box 
back  upwards,  and  were  dealt  from  it  in  the  same  manner  as 
when  the  dealer  held  the  cards  in  his  hand.  These  boxes  were 
not  favorably  received,  and  were  viewed  with  suspicion  by  play- 
ers, more  on  account  of  their  hiding  the  cards  than  anything  else. 
The  licensed  gambling-houses  in  New  Orleans  would  not  use 
them,  nor  were  they  received  with  any  more  favor  in  the  North- 
em  States.  They  were  used,  however,  in  some  parts  of  the 
country  until  replaced  by  open  boxes.    In  or  about  the  year 


f'f 


160 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


1825  an  vinrivaled  genius,  by  the  name  of  Graves,  a  vatchma- 
ieHn  JiSnati.  invented  the  open  dealing-box,  similar  to  hose 
in  u  e  at  the  present  time,  though  since  tl'-en  many  improve- 
ments  have  been  made.  Following  on  the  heels  of  his  faro-l  ox 
Svention,  his  prohfic  brain  discovered  a  method  of  cheatmgthe 
pTayers  ;ith  his  boxes  by  a  cunningly  demed  arrangement 
known  to  the  sharpers  of  early  days  as  «« gaft.' 

GAFF. 

This  trick  was  played  in  the  following  manner:    The  plate 
covei^g  the  mouth  of  the  box  was  very  thin  and  flexible  so  as 
SffTve  upwards,  if  desirable,  to  force  two  cards  from  the  box  at 
once     The  next  thin-^  required  was  a  pack  of  cards  that  could  be 
stocked  to  sutt  the    an  .of  the  manipulator.    This  was  accom- 
pUshedbytrimmin,    b,  :ardsofdifferent  denominations  in  convex 
and  concave  shapes.    For  example  :  the  kings,  queens  aces  and 
Suces  wee  separated  from  the  others;  these  were  trimmed  by 
alonvex  plate  made  for  the  purpose,  while  the  remainder  of  the 
nalwere  trimmed  with  a  co.-ve  plate.    The  pack  being  now 
?eady  fou«e,  the  manipulator  .  mfflesit  thoroughly  m  the  usual 
manner,  then  strips  it  in  the  following  fashion:    He  holds  one 
S^of  the  pack  between  the  fingers  and  thumb  of  bis  left  haM, 
Hie  the  other  end  is  resting  on  the  table  ;  he  places  the  fingers 
and  thumb  of  his  right  hand  on  the  sides  of  t\o  P^^l^'  «\*« 
middle,  which  makes  them  rest  on  the  convex  cards.     He  then 
draws  the  pack  apart  with  a  quick  jerk,  which  leaves  the  c^n- 
tZ  cards  in  his  left  hand  and  the  convex  in  his  "Sjt;  these  h, 
thro  ^8  upon  the  top  of  the  pack,  which  leavos  it  ready  for  stock- 
ng     This-vas  formerly  done  in  the  following  "^^^^^^  =  ^f'l« 
holding  the  pack  above  the  table  firmly  in  the  fingers  and  thumb 
of  the  left  hand,  he  "  milks  it  down  "  wit'  the  thumb  and  fingers 
of  Ws  right  h"nd ;  that  is,  he  draws  a  card  from  the  bottom  of 
1  m"k  and  one  from  the  top  at  the  same  time,  and  continues 
thepacKanaoneu  i  fifty-two  cards,  making  a 

itrcaTind^n^v^xt'efa.^ 

completes  the  stock.  He  then  cuts  the  pack  and  puts  it  in  the 
SSox.  If  a  king,  queen,  ace,  or  deuce  (tho  convex  card  ) 
a  :  etn  o?the  top  in  fha  de^Ung-box,  or  at  -Y  t-e  dur-gthj 
deal  after  a  turn  is  made,  the  manipulator  wiU  know  that  aU 


OXD. 

Graves,  a  vatchma- 
■box,  similar  to  those 
hen  a.any  improve- 
leels  of  bis  faro-box 
jtbodof  cheating  the 
leviaed  arrangement 
ff." 


manner:  The  plate 
lin  and  flexible,  so  as 
iards  from  the  box  at 
of  cards  that  could  be 
)r.  This  was  accom- 
nominationsin  convex 
iugs,  queens,  aces  and 
ese  were  trimmed  by 
I  the  remainder  of  the 

The  pack  being  now 
loroughly,  in  the  usual 
shion:  He  holds  one 
lumb  of  his  left  hand, 
;  he  places  the  fingers 
s  of  the  pack,  at  the 
ivex  cards.  He  then 
which  leaves  the  c^ n- 
5.  in  his  right;  these  he 
avos  it  ready  for  stock- 
owing  manner:  While 
1  the  fingers  and  thumb 

the  thumb  and  fingers 
ird  from  the  bottom  of 
le  time,  and  continues 
sr-two  cards,  making  a 
rnately  together,  which 
.ack  and  puts  it  in  the 
euce  (the  convex  cards) 
r  at  any  time  during  the 
ator  will  know  that  all 


INVENTORS. 


m 


those  cards  will  win.  Should  it  be  for  his  interest  to  change  the 
stock,  he  shoves  two  cards  from  the  box  at  once  and  the  kiugs 
queens,  aces  and  deuces  will  all  come  losing,  and  whenever  he 
wishes  them  to  como  winning  again  he  accomplishes  his  purpose 
by  pushing  two  more  cards  through  the  box,  iu  place  of  one. 
This  is  done  iu  the  following  mauner:  Hidden  underneath  one 
of  the  fingers  of  his  left  hand,  the  manipulator  holds  his  "  gaff," 
a  small  poiuted  instrument  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length 
and  the  size  of  a  small  darning-needle,  shaped  like  the  point"  of 
a  shoemaker's  awl.  This  instrument  is  usually  attached  to  a 
gold  ring  worn  by  the  operator  on  one  of  his  fingers— the  box 
being  purposely  constructed  to  enable  him  to  see  the  sides  of  the 
cards  opposite  the  mouth.  Wheneves  he  wants  to  change  his 
stock  he  places  the  point  of  his  "gaflf"  against  the  side  of  the 
second  card,  that  is,  the  one  beneath  the  top,  and  by  pushing  it 
gently  he  forces  it  and  the  top  card  through  the  mouth  of  the 
box  at  once,  when  both  are  seized  by  the  fingers  of  the  right 
hand  and  placed  upon  the  dealt  cards. 

I  have  serious  doubts  if  any  of  the  great  army  of  fools  in  this 
country,  at  .east  those  among  them  who  understand  the  rudi- 
ments of  fart -playing,  would  submit  to  such  a  barefaced  robbery 
at  the  preser  t  time;  but  when  Graves  first  invented  this  trick, 
and  for  many  years  after  .*'ards,  sharpers  worked  it  successfully, 
and  by  it  made  untold  money. 

The  convex  strippers  were  also  played  successfully  for  many 
years,  at  games  of  single-handed  poker.  The  cards  intended  for 
this  purpose  were  all  cut  concave,  except  ten,  viz.,  the  aces  and 
kings,  with  a  queen  and  a  Jack,  which  were  cut  convex.  When 
the  sharper's  antagonist  had  shuffled  the  cards  preparatory  to  a 
deal,  and  passed  them  over  to  bo  cut,  the  sharper  gave  them  one 
or  more  shuffles,  and  as  a  cut  stripped  the  convex  cards  from  the 
concave  ones,  and  placed  them  on  the  top  of  the  pack,  wheTi 
the  hands  were  dealt  ofl",  he  could  tell  by  his  own  hand  whether 
his  partner  had  the  best  cards  or  not.  If  iu  his  hand  he  hold 
three  kings,  he  knew  his  adversary  must  hold  as  much  .as  three 
aces;  and  if  he  held  two  pairs,  kings,  and  aces,  with  a  Jack,  he 
knew  he  must  have  kings,  and  aces,  and  a  queen. 

A  year  or  two  subsequent  to  the  invention  of  Graves'  "gafi"" 
trick,  a  genius  named  Savage,  living  in  Virginia,  invented  a 
method  of  cheating  player.i  with  the  Bayley  boxes.    The  cards 


.:l 


-mm$m': 


m 


_  WiKDERIHGS  OF  A  TiOiBOSD. 

l«i  tor  this  purpo«.  »er,  cccave  »f  ««7»f '^JSrTho 

:rjrt^vs;^:irsro',sr"ruU-, 

Irank  S  one  direction,  it  shoved  the  lever  forward,  and  with  it 
the  two  topmost  cards  from  the  mouth  of  the  hox  when  they 

were  immediately  caught  h^  the  f-f  ,-?/«;,f  "I^^J^S 
dealer  and  placed  on  one  of  the  piles  of  dealt  cards.    The  cranic 
ti  now  turned  backwards,  and  the  lever  thereby  drawn  into  its 
rS  posTtion.     From   the  crank  by  which  the  lever  was 
worked,  this  invention  was  christened  the  "««ff««-°"^^-^^,^^f' 
^hole  affair  was  a  clumsy  invention,  however,  and  was  soo,  de- 
tected    It  was  subsequently  improved  upon  by  Graves.     J^ne 
crank  lever,  and  two  cards  were  discarded.    Ho  made  the  boxes 
?i  uSly  in  appearance,  widened  the  hole  in  the  top  of  the 
box  and  by  a  cunLgly  devised  piece  of  machinery  placed  near 
?he  opening  which  admitted  the  pack,  and  beneath  the  covering 
of  the  box  the  top  card  was  held  back,  and  that  immediately 
beneath  i    shoved  out.    The  pack,  all  of  which  were  marked 
u  .on  their  backs,  were  placed  in  the  box  back  upward^,  and  t^^^ 
game  was  dealt  in  the  manner  waich  was  customary  before 
fheTnvention  of  boxes.     When  the  operat'^r  saw  a  card  wmch 
he  knlwwould  win  a  large  stake  for  the  player  he  held  it  back, 
whUe  Ws  fingers  covered  the  hole  to  hide  it  from  observation 
Ind  shoved  out  that  immediately  underneath  it,  which  he  placed 
upon  tSIplayer's  pile,  while  the  top  card  legitimately  belonging 
oSe  player  was  cL  in  favor  of  the  bank.    This  raud  cou Idbe 
prSd'on  every  turn  made  during  a  dea ,  withoiU  the  le^t 
bun-ling  or  dauger  of  detection.     This  pattern  of  boxes,  first 
inven  ed  by  Bayley,  from  the  time  of  Graves'  improvement  re- 
cJveTthe  poetical  name  of  the  "  horse  box."    It  was  one  o    the 
mTsMngenious  contrivances  ever  invented  for  cheating  the  p  ayer 
Sfaro.    But  the  ungainly  shape  of  the  box,  the  fact  of  its  hiding 
the  cards  from  the  player,  surrounded  it  with  suspicion,  and  it 
^uld  never  be  used  ^th  any  success  where  faro-games  wero 


rex  strippers,  which 
ist  depcribed.    The 
heir  faces  upwards, 
manner  as  that  do- 
rhis  was  done  fiway 
breed  from  the  box 
,  opposite  the  mouth 
I  the  top  covering  of 
ranli.     Turning  the 
forward,  and  with  it 
the  box,  when  they 
id  fore-finger  of  the 
It  cards.    The  crank 
liereby  drawn  into  its 
rhich  the  lever  was 
"coffee-mill."     The 
er,  and  was  soon  do- 
)on  by  Graves.    The 
1.   He  made  the  boxes 
lolo  in  the  top  of  the 
aachinery  placed  near 
beneath  the  covering 
and  that  immediately 
f  which  were  marked 
)ack  upwards,  and  the 
vas  customary  before 
at'>r  saw  a  card  which 
(layer,  he  held  it  back, 
e  it  from  observation, 
ath  it,  which  he  placed 
legitimately  belonging 
t.    This  fraud  could  be 
deal,  without  the  least 
pattern  of  boxes,  first 
raves'  improvement  re- 
ox."    It  was  one  of  the 
i  for  cheating  the  player 
ox,  the  fact  of  its  hiding 
t  with  suspicion,  and  it 
where  faro-games  wore 


INVENTORS. 


103 


dealt  out  of  the  hand  or  with  open  boxes.  They  have  existed 
up  to  the  present  day,  but  have  not  been  used  in  faro  for  nearly 
twenty-five  years,  and  at  the  present  day  arc  used  only  by  a  set 
of  sharpers,  for  deaUug  a  swindling  game  known  as  "lied  and 
Black." 

The  open  boxes  (square  ones)  invented  by  Graves  became  very 
popular  with  both  dealers  and  players  throughout  the  country, 
and  within  three  years  after  their  introduction,  were  in  use  in 
every  respectable  faro- bank  in  the  United  States.  The  "gaff" 
arrangement  had  by  this  time  been  exposed  to  the  more  initiated 
among  the  gambling  fraternity,  as  were  also  the  "  coflee-mill " 
and  the  "horse's  box."  Fools  might  now  and  then  be  found 
who  would  allow  themselves  to  be  fleeced  of  their  money  by  such 
coarse  tricks,  out  it  required  something  more  scientific  to  be 
brought  forward,  in  order  to  reach  the  professional  moneyed 
gamblers.  The  prolific  brain  of  Graves  in  the  year  1828  discov- 
ered what  are  known  as  roughed  cards,  and  which  have  held 
undisputed  sway  with  sharpers  over  every  other  invention  of 
the  sort,  up  to  the  present  time.  The  boxes,  prepared  to  drop 
two  of  the  roughed  cards  together,  were  precisely  similar  in 
shape  and  appearance  to  the  s(iuare  ones ;  the  top  plate,  above 
the  mouth  of  the  box,  being  made  to  raise  sufficiently  to  allow  of 
two  cards  being  forced  from  the  aperture  at  a  time.  This  was 
accomplished  by  a  lever  placed  inside  the  box  near  the  lid,  which 
was  worked  by  one  of  the  screws  that  fastened  down  the  top  of 
the  box.  It  was  placed  on  the  outside  corner  of  the  box  next  its 
opening,  and  on  the  end  next  the  dealer.  Whenever  the  manip- 
ulator desired  to  change  his  stock,  by  taking  out  two  cards  in 
the  place  of  on  he  pressed  lightly  downward  on  the  screw  with 
his  thumb,  whab  forced  the  lever  to  raise  the  lid  of  the  box  from 
its  mouth,  which,  being  enlarged,  he  pushed,  in  the  ordinary  way, 
the  top  card  with  his  finger,  but  the  card  pushed  out  drags  with 
it  the  one  immediately  underneath  it,  and  so  long  as  his  thumb 
continues  to  press  on  the  screw,  so  long  will  two  cards  pass  from 
the  box  at  once ;  but  immediately  he  ceases  to  press  on  the  screw 
the  lid  of  the  box  resumes  its  natural  position,  and  but  a  single 
card  can  escape  at  a  time.  Since  this  invention  these  two-card 
boxes  have  undergone  many  changes  and  many  improvements. 
Many  men,  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  have  at  various 
times  made  themselves  fortunes  manufacturing  these  two-card 


.limiminWi 


r 


1Q4  WANDEIJNGS  OF  A  VAGABO.'tD. 

boxes     Whoever  was  able  ..  add  to  thorn  any  improvement 
Srcre"  r  it  his  own  price  from  ^^arpers^  J,^|  -,t- 
in  any  of  these  two-ca)d  boxes  scarcely  amounts  to  $25,  jet  the 
makers  have  received  for  them  from  $75  to  $300  each  a^cordmg 
Ttho  fineness  of  tbo  workmanship.  There  was  living  m  Peters- 
bnrtr    Va.,  loi'g  before  the  commencement  of  our  civil  war,  a 
Sken  0  C  watchmaker  who  was  skilled  in  the  manufacture  of 
'S  artf  es,  who  never  made  one  for  less  than  $2J,  and  had 
always  on  hand  more  orders  than  he  could  possibly  fill.    But  the 
Sr  of  artisans  who  are  able  to  -"^t'^f  ^f  ,^J,J«^^^^^^ 
very  much  increased  since  the  war,  so  much  ^^J^^at    hey  have 
fallen  oreatlv  in  price,  to  the  immense  satisfaction  of  the  sharp 
Irs     rtho  present  day  the  best  silver  two-card  boxes  can  be 
n^hted  foi  $100.  and  from  that  down  to  $30,  if  not  less,  ac- 
SfnTto  the  mat;rial  and  workmanship.    The  machinery  used 
aUhe  present  day  in  these  cheating  boxes  is  placed  on  a  silver 
cr  German  silver  plate,  and  is  fitted  against  the  J'^e  «f   he  \^^^^ 
beneath  its  mouth,  which  is  made  wide  «°«"elj^   «  ad™t  of  the 
passage  of  two  cards  at  a  time.    But  a  small,  thin  Pl^te,  extend 

?ng  from  one  end  of  the  mouth  to  the  f  «'■' P-^^^ti^a  efs  at- 
of  more  than  one  card,  if  that  only  is  desired.    This  plate  is  at 
tached  to  the  machinery  hidden  between  the  side  of  the  box  and 
the  false  plate,  and  can  be  lowered  to  the  tl^cknef  «f  a  s^^^^^^^ 
card  if  the  mivnipulator  desires  to  change  his  stock,  by  taking  a 
braJe  of  card;,  from  the  box  instead  of  one.    At  tl^e  Present  .me 
the  leve-  which  works  the  plate  is  attached  to  one  of  the  bars  at 
t  bottor-  the  inside  o^"  the  box,  by  -^fJl^^^me 
fastened.    By  pressing  with  the  finger  against  the  ^^r,  ^he  f  a^e 
which  guards  the  mouth  of  the  box  is  lowered;  the  moment  the 
Cer  ifremoved  the  plate  resumes  its  natural  position,  and  the 
Sth  is  closed  agamL  the  egress  of  more  than  one  -rd  ;a  ta 
time      These  boxes  are  constructed  to  lock  in  various  ways , 
Ta  'is,  ?o  cTse  the  machinery  from  working  and  from  the  B,gh 
of  the  uninitiated  ;  the  object  of  this  being  to  enable  the  box    « 
be  shown  to  any  person  doubting  its  fairness.    The  Precaution  is 
sunerfluous  however,  as  no  fool  capable  of  being  imposed  on  by 
a  ?wo  c  rd  box,  would  ever  think  of  searching  for f  njachmery 
more  especially  as,  if  he  suspected  fi.uid,  ^e  eonW  detect  i^^^^^^ 
examining  the  cards.    I  shall  now  retimi  to  the  roughed  cards 
invented  by  Mr.  Graves  for  the  use  of  his  boxes. 


1  any  improvement 
ers.  The  material 
AUts  to  $35,  yet  the 
S300  each,  according 
ras  living  in  Peters- 
,  of  our  civil  war,  a 
.  the  manufacture  of 

than  $200,  and  had 
lossibly  fill.  But  the 
at  these  boxes  have 
1  so  that  they  have 
faction  of  the  sharp- 
o-card  boxes  can  be 

$30,  if  not  less,  ac- 

Tlie  machinery  used 
is  placed  on  a  silver 
t  the  Ride  of  the  box, 
)ugh  to  admit  of  the 
11,  thin  plate,  extend- 
,  prevents  the  egress 
•d.    This  plate  is  at- 
lo  side  of  the  box  and 
thickness  of  a  single 
lis  stock,  by  taking  a 
,    At  the  present  time 
d  to  one  of  the  bars  at 
which  its  springs  are 
linst  the  bar,  the  plate 
ered;  the  moment  the 
tural  position,  and  the 
re  than  one  card  at  a 
lock  in  various  ways ; 
ng,  and  from  the  sight 
g  to  enable  the  box  to 
ass.    The  precaution  is 
if  being  imposed  on  by 
;hing  for  its  machinery, 

he  could  detect  it  by 
I  to  the  roughed  cards 
boxes. 


INVENTORS. 


ROTJGHBD    CARDS    OR     "STRIPPERS. 


165 


I  am  unable  to  say  who  was  the  inventor  of  these,  but  they 
made  their  appearance  shortly  before  Graves  brought  forth  his  last 
and  most  famous  invention,  and  were  no  more  than  an  improve- 
ment ou  the  concave  and  convex  cards  or  "strippers."  The 
labor  ou  a  pack  of  concave  or  convex  "strippers"  was  far 
more  than  that  upon  "wedge  strippers,"  of  which  I  now  pro- 
pose to  treat.  A  pack  of  "  wedge  s;rippers"  are  inauufactured 
by  trimming  all  the  cards  in  the  following  manner :  Each  card 
is  trimmed  lengthwise,  on  one  side,  leaving  the  corner  where  the 
shaving  away  is  commenced,  intact;  itiscontin- •  i  more  heavily 
to  the  other  end,  which  takes  from  the  card  a  long  and  very  thin 
wedge,  and  also  makes  the  pack  slightly  that  shape.  While  re- 
taining this  position  the  cards  would  be  useless  to  the  sharper  for 
cheating  purposes.  But  turn  a  portion  of  them  so  tliat  the  un- 
trimmed  ends  of  this  portion  would  meet  with  the  trimmed  ends 
of  those  remaining  stationary,  and  these  respective  portions  could 
be  drawn  apart  by  taking  hold  of  the  ends  of  the  pack.  This 
operation  is  known  among  sharpers  as  "  stripping."  To  render 
the  pack  of  "  strippers  "  serviceable  we  win  suppose  that  the  pack 
has  just  been  trimmed  into  the  foregoing  shape :  It  is  now  divid- 
ed into  two  piles;  in  one  are  placed  the  kings,  queens.  Jacks,  aces, 
deuces,  trois,  and  two  sevens,  and  in  the  other  the  tens,  nines, 
eights,  sixes,  fives,  fours,  and  the  two  remaining  sevens.  The 
two  piles  are  turned  half-way  round  and  placed  one  upon  ^he 
other.  The  operator  takes  hold  of  the  pack,  while  shuiHir..:  u, 
at  both  ends  near  the  comers,  and  when  he  has  mixed  it  lo  js 
satisfaction,  or  that  of  his  customers,  rather,  he  "strips"  it, 
leaving  in  one  part  all  the  kings,  queens.  Jacks,  aces,  deuces, 
trois,  and  two  sevens,  and  in  the  other  the  remainder  of  the  cards.- 
It  was  in  this  way  sharpers  first  used  "strippers,"  in  order  to  in- 
crease the  number  of  splits  in  their  games,  which  would  render 
the  number  fiv'e  times  greater  than  in  the  ordinary  course  of 
things,  with  a  fair  pack  of  cards,  during  a  deal.  They  were  also 
found  useful  in  another  way :  whenever  the  sharpers  found  o 
or  more  were  playing  in  the  pot,  or  betting  on  any  other  partic- 
ular cards,  these  cards  were  turned  round  from  the  rest  in  the 
pack,  and  when  "stripped"  and  "milked  down,"  by  cutting  the 
pack  at  one  end,  the  iiitocked  caid>i  would  all  lose,  but  after  they 


1(36  WANDEMNOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

were  placed  in  the  box  tbo  manipulator  had  then  no  further  con- 
trol over  them ;  but  the  renowned  Grates  overcame  this  difficul- 
ty first  by  his  invention  of  the  "  gafl."  and  afterwards  by  his 
"  roughed  cards." 

SANDED     CARDS. 

Simple  as  roughed  cards  may  sound  to  the  reader,  when  under- 
8t.  >d  they  are  by  no  means  so  simple.    They  have  boon  and  are 
the  cause  of  much  gt^of  and  sorrrw  to  thousands  of  persons.    To 
work  a  pack  of  cards  in  a  two-card  box  according  to  the  method 
invented  by  Graves,  the  principle  of  which  is  carried  out  at  the 
present  day,  is  accomplished  in  the  following  manner.    For 
exdmple,  we  will  takeapack  of  "  strippers,"  and  after  soparating 
them  by  drawing  them  apart,  leave  in  one  of  the  portions  the 
king,  queen,  etc.,  as  already  described,  and  m  the  other,  the 
tens  nines,  eights,  sixes,  fives,  fours,  and  two  sevens.    Having 
rubbed  the  faces  of  these  latter  ones  with  sand-paper,  we  will 
proceed  to  rub  the  backs  of  the  first  mentioned  portion  m  ex- 
£W5tly  the  same  manner.    We  will  now  place  them  togetlier  and 
shuffle  them  up,  after  which  we  will  "strip"  them  oud  "milk 
them  down,  cut  them,  and  finally  place  them  in  the  dealing-box. 
We  will  suppose  the  ace  is  the  soda  card.    This  mdie<^-tcs  that 
all  the  kings,  queens,  aces,  deuces,  trois,  and  the  two  sevens 
will  win,  and  that  the  remaining  cards  will  lose.    As  the  latter 
denominations  are  sanded  on  their  faces,  and  the  former  on  their 
backs,  they  will  naturally  adhere;  that  is,  the  cards  which  are 
sanded  upon  their  faces,  coming  in  contact  with  those  sanded 
upon  their  backs,  will  adhere  to  them.    Now  just  as  bug  as  we 
wish  the  kings,  queens,  aces,  deuces,  trois,  and,  we  will  say,  two 
red  sevens,  to  win,  wo  have  only  to  push  one  card  from  the  deal- 
ing-box at  a  time;  but  should  we  wish  to  alter  the  stock,  we 
have  only  to  touch  the   lever  moving  the  plate  that  guards 
the  mouth  of  the  box,  and  at  the  same  time  shove  the  top  card 
from  the  box  with  the  forefinger,  and  it  will  drag  the  one  im- 
mediately beneath  it  along  with  it,  and  the  two  cards  will  leave 
the  mouth  of  the  box  as  one  only.    The  consequence  of  taking 
these  two  cards  at  one  time  is  to  alter  the  run  of  the  whole 
stock.    The  kings,  queens.  Jacks,  etc.,  will  now  all  lose,  and  the 
tens,  nines,  eights,  etc.,  will  all  win;  ^»<i  as  often  as  two  cards 
are  taken  at  once,  the  whole  programme  of  the  "  stock  ■  will  be 


OND. 


INVKXTOKS. 


?fi7 


.  then  no  further  con- 
vercane  this  difficul- 
iid  afterwards  by  his 


reader,  when  under- 
ey  have  been  and  are 
sands  of  persons.    To 
!ording  to  the  method 
li  is  carried  out  at  the 
lowinj?  manner.    For 
"  and  after  separating 
10  of  the  portions  the 
and  in  the  other,  the 
two  sevens.    Having 
1  sand-paper,  we  will 
tioned  portion  in  ex- 
ce  them  together  and 
ip"  them  and  "milk" 
em  in  the  dealing-box. 
.    This  indic^-tcs  that 
8,  and  the  two  sevens 
rill  lose.    As  the  latter 
md  the  former  on  their 
is,  the  cards  which  are 
tact  with  those  sanded 
Now  just  as  long  as  we 
,  and,  we  will  say,  two 
one  card  from  the  deal- 
to  alter  the  stock,  we 
the  plate  that  guards 
time  shove  the  top  card 
will  drag  the  one  im- 
thfe  two  cards  will  leave 
consequence  of  taking 
•  the  run  of  the  whole 
vill  now  all  lose,  and  the 
id  as  often  as  two  cards 
I  of  the  '<  stock"  will  be 


changed.  Should  an  obstinate  player  persist  in  following  up  the 
run  of  tho  winning  cards,  that  is,  if  he  bet  his  money  behind  the 
dfiioo,  ace,  etc.,  these  being  tlie  wiuning  cards,  we  should  lie 
obliged  to  take  two  cards  from  the  box  at  once,  in  order  that 
we  might  win  his  bet,  and  so  on,  as  often  as  ho  bet  on  winning 
cards. 

About  iwenty.flvo  years  ago  an  improvement  was  introduced, 
to  rpliovo  tlio  dealer  from  taking  two  cards  too  often  during  a 
deal,  and  also  to  enable  him  the  more  readily  to  beat  two  or 
more  players  at  the  same  time.  This  was  accomplished  by 
placing  a  small  dot  on  the  faces  of  those  cards  whoso  backs  were 
sanded.  This  dot  was  placed  on  the  margin  of  tho  card  near 
tho  left-haiid  corner  next  the  dealer,  and  was  made  in  such  a 
niauuor  that  the  operator  could  tell  whether  the  card  on  which 
it  was  placed  was  a  king,  queen  ace,  deuce,  trois,  or  seven. 
Tho  inside  corner  of  the  top  of  the  box  on  the  left-hand  side, 
next  the  dealer,  was  filed  away  so  that  he  could  see  the  dots; 
and  as  the  top  card  dragged  with  it  the  one  under  it,  tho  plate 
thus  doctored  enabled  the  dealer  to  see  tho  dot  on  the  third  card 
below.  In  this  way  he  could  tell  before  ho  made  his  last  turn 
which  was  tho  winning  card.  By  this  cunning  device  a  player, 
we  will  say,  has  $100  bet  on  the  ace  and  the  same  on  tho  ten. 
According  to  the  stock  the  ace  must  win,  and  the  ten  lose.  The 
jnanipulator  makes  his  turns  regularly,  knowing  the  ten  \,'ill  lose 
before  tho  dot  on  tho  card  below  informs  him  that  the  ace  will 
win,  on  the  turn.  Should  the  latter  prove  to  be  the  case,  he 
pushes  two  cards  through  the  mouth  of  the  box,  which  makes  the 
ace  lose  on  the  turn.  If  the  ten  docs  not  win  on  tho  same  turn 
on  which  the  ace  has  lost,  on  the  next  turn  he  pushes  two  cards 
more  from  the  box,  again  placing  tho  ten  a  loser.  Strippers  in 
various  shapes  have  held  their  own  up  to  tho  present  time.  It 
was  natural  that  in  tho  course  of  time  these  frauds  should  15e 
exposed  to  the  farther  advanced  of  the  gamblers,  and  such  was 
the  case,  and  it  required  some  new  invention  in  the  line  of  fraud 
to  cheat  them.  Upon  this  class,  stripping  cards  and  milking 
them  were  worn  out ;  and  though  such  tricks  might  still  answer 
for  the  verdant,  some  new  scheme  had  to  be  elaborated  to  baffle 
the  already  awakened  vigilance  of  professional  gamblers.  This 
was  accomplished  in  the  year  1835,  when  a  new  invention  waa 
set  afloat,  known  among  gamblers  under  the  name  of 


i 


.— ■■ag'-r,^.f,!as^-^LT'r 


WANUElllNOS  01'  X  VAGABOND. 
"BOUNDS " 

I  am  unable  to  say  by  whom  these  were  Inyentel^   Thecrodlt 

Is  cencn-lly  awnvdod  to  a  genius  linng  m  ^a8hvlno,  Tenn;  »y 

tho      mc  .i  John  Powers.    A  pack  of  rounds  were  n';»^«"ed 

,  .;  ws;  the  kings,  queens,  aces,  deuces,  tro.s,  and  red  sevens 

z:  r  r  hiJ^^rtr  tS^rthif^^^ 

S;«ser:^-^S^nSS^^^^^ 

?he  trimmed  e.rT.  leld  tS  natural  position  during  the  shuffle 
ife  thumb  '  beincr  unable  to  touch  them  ;  the  sand  on  the  faces 
S  thSmmeTones  meeting  the  roughed  backs  of  the  un«d 
nnes  thev  were  held  firmly  in  their  places,  so  that  a  practical 
Serc'J^S  shuffle  a  pack  of  rounds  for  more  than  a  minute 
wirseeming  fairness,  without  in  any  manner  disarranging  his 
TtockS  Shuffling  'of  a  pack  of  these  cards  ^a^  a  very  d.ffer- 
ent  sound  from  that  of  a  fair  pack-it  falls  roughly  on  tbe  ear ,  so 
much  °o   Ihat,  in  many  cases,  it  has  led  to  their  Jtec^^^^^^^^^ 
Rounds  and  strippers  of  all  descriptions  have  had  their  stocks 
aTanged  in  different  ways.    When  the  cards  are  placed  in  op- 
posS  jL  follows:  tens,  nines,  eights,  sixes,  fives,  fours   and 
To  sevens  against  the  kings,  queens.  Jacks,  aces,  f  eiices  tro^, 
and  two  sevens,  thev  are  termed  "one  end  against  the  other 
When  they  are'  placed  in  opposition  as  kings.  Queens^  J^«J' 
deuces    sixes,  eights,  and  two  red  sevens,  against  the  Jacks, 
S  nines!  fi'ves' fo^rs,  trois,  and  *-  ^l-k  -ens   thej  ^e 
termed  "both  ends  against  the  middle."    When  all  the  odd 


l'»H»M.*'^'»''l''^''''^ 


ID. 


entel.    The  credit 
asbviUo,  Tenn.,  by 
were  manufactured 
•oia,  and  red  sevens 
lines,  eights,  sixes, 
I  in  this  vray.    On 
nit  the  width  of  the 
lile  the  middle  was 
val  shape;  each  of 
[  those  of  the  other 
ed  and  untrimmed 
Ride  had  a  serrated 
lo  on  the  other  side 
ider  can  now  easily 
med   from  the   un- 
the  whole  pack  was 
shuffling  a  pack  of 
i  next  him,  and  held 
resting  on  the  trhn- 
ch  were  untrimmed. 
on  during  the  shuffle, 
lie  sand  on  the  faces 
cks  of  the  untrimmed 
I,  so  that  a  practical 
more  than  a  minute, 
mer  disarranging  his 
rds  has  a  very  differ- 
•oughlyontheear;  so 
i  to  their  detection, 
ave  had  their  stocks 
rds  are  placed  in  op- 
ixes,  fives,  fours,  and 
[S,  aces,  deuces,  trois, 
d  against  the  other." 
kings,  queens,  aces, 
is,  against  the  Jacks, 
lack  sevens,  they  are 
"    When  all  the  odd 


INVENTOnS. 


1G9 


cards  are  placed  in  opposition  to  all  the  even  cards,  they  are 
termed  "odds  and  evens."  Cheating  packs  have  been  arranged 
in  many  diflcrent  ways,  but  the  three  combinations  given  above 
are  those  which  have  been  moat  commonly  in  use  since  "strip- 
pers" and  "rounds"  were  invented.  These  variations  were 
made  to  prevent  players  from  noticing  the  cards  running  one 
way.  When  rounds  were  flrst  invented,  they  were  not  intended 
to  strip,  nor  was  it  meant  that  they  should  be  separated  and 
milked  down  in  the  presence  of  players.  Such  work  would  not 
for  a  moment  stand  the  test  with  gamblers.  Consequently  the 
manipulators  carried  with  them  in  their  card-boxes,  ready 
stocked,  from  one  to  three  dozen  packs  of  cards.  In  the  first 
deal  the  players  wero  robbed,  and  in  every  subsequent  one, 
when  a  fresh  pack  was  brought  into  play. 

When  rounds  were  played  out  on  gamblers,  but  not  until  they 
had  been  robbed,  from  Maine  to  Texas,  with  them,  the  sharp- 
ers made  strippers  of  their  cards,  that  one  pack  of  them  might 
be  serviceable  every  deal.  One  half  the  pack  were  trimmed  on 
both  sides  near  the  corners,  and  the  other  half  were  made  con- 
cave at  the  middle,  which  made  the  pack  both  strippers  an^ 
rounds.  These  were  christened  by  the  sharpers,  "snow-outs." 
The  frequent  scorchiugs  which  gamblers  received  from  these 
gentry  made  them  suspicious  of  all  faro-dealers.  They  imagined 
that  if,  before  shuffling,  the  cards  were  snowed  out,  that  is,  scat- 
tered over  the  table,  it  would  be  a  safeguard  against  fraud.  To 
meet  this  fallacy,  rounds  and  strippers  were  brought  nito  play 
combined.  A  skillful  manipulator  would  shufHe  them  for  several 
minutes,  then  strip  them  -vith  a  quick,  easy  motion,  as  if  he  were 
dividing  the  pack  with  both  hands  to  shuffle  in  again.  But  no 
sooner  had  he  stripped  the  pack,  than  he  held  it  up  by  the  sides 
between  the  thumb  and  fingers  of  his  left  hand,  while  with  his 
right  he  drew  a  card  from  top  and  bottom,  simultaneously.  In 
this  manner,  with  a  rapid  motion,  he  would  toss  the  cards  all 
over  the  table,  and  then  arrange  them  in  their  natural  shape ; 
that  is,  the  shape  it  was  intended  they  should  come  in.  While 
scattering  the  cards,  he  would  throw  those  sanded  upon  their 
faces  upon  thosew  roughened  upon  their  backs ;  they  would  of 
course  adhere,  and  in  this  fashion  the  whole  pack  was  complete- 
ly stocked.  To  give  the  matter  an  additional  appearance  of 
fairness,  he  now  gathers  up  his  cards,  arranges  them  into  the 


;; 


' 


*<..ji.! 


lyO  WANUEKINGa  OF  A   VAOABOKD. 

1  ui.nfflps  them  for  several  seconds  oy  the  trimmed 
pack,  and  shuffles  tueni  '';|  bis  stock,  ..uts  his  cards 

edges,  without  disturbujg  "/^^^^^^f,;,^^^  ^ards  from  it  any 
into  the  deahng-box,  ^"^^  .^^  y.^f^  J^^^i.  For  more  than  a  year 
r  lT.TZtl  ZtXZ^£,^r.  before  it  was 
this  game  was  l»^y^"  ""'.,„  „rosont  time  "suow-outs"  have 
exposed,  and  oven  up  to  ^^°  P~  '/^^°  who  use  them  in 
been  the  main  dependence  of  scores  ^^'l^'^'^^l  ..^jiik 
all  their  "skinning  games"  at  faio.  ^^^y^i      That  method 

down,"  or  "snow  ^-'"^Z.ZTytl^Z^^^^^^^^  -  ^-e  artful 
wa.  abandoned  some^tw-y-flvyear^  fo,i  cards  care- 

improvement,     rhoraanumm  ^^^^^  ,^^j^.^^g  ,,^ 

be  accomplished  only  after  ™vi«h  F*^^^^^^^^    .^^7^^  upwards  of 
troduced,  those  not  ^-f^J^^^^J^^tx^^  in  fhe  coun- 

three  years  on  some  of  the  most  expert  m     P    y  ^^  ^^^ 

try  before  they  were  do^^^^^^^^^^^  illiberal  faro-bankers 

cause,  or  one  of  the  causes,  vv  ^^ 

to  allow  the  keeping  of  cases  ^fJ^J^^^^^^,^,;,^  on  the 
these  rounds  which  Mr.  t^«"7  ^^^'^''^^  i  ^Ln  at  the  time  ac- 
Majorand  myself,  in  Washmgtm^  ^ml  ^  ^^^^^J,  i.y^d  the 
quamted  with  roughed  ^^rds,  1^^^  cc^uW  not  na      P   >  ^^^^ 

Lond  deal  upon  us  after  ^^y  «f  P".^''^'ro'^^^^^^ 


"V"^"^ 


INU. 

Is  oy  the  triiiitned 
lock,  V'Uts  bis  cards 
,vo  cards  from  it  any 
^or  more  than  a  year 
ablcrs  before  it  vvaa 
)  "suow-outs"  have 
)cr8  who  use  them  in 
[icy  no  longer  "milk 
lorly.    That  method 
;o,  for  a  more  artful 
is  his  fold  cards  care- 
,m  apart,  holding  in 
if  those  ho  i)lacc3  to- 
il other,  placing  each 
toly  together,  us  cor- 
milked  down."    This 
tt-in  Bhuftlo,"  and  can 

The  first  rounds  in- 
played  for  upwards  of 
)-players  in  the  coun- 
Bction  was  the  primal 
illiberal  faro-bankers 
games.    It  was  upon 

his  dexterity  on  the 
[  been  at  the  time  ac- 
not  have  played  the 
were  aroused.    When 
loy  are  easily  detected, 
manner  that  its  glare 
)bed  with  sand-paper, 
d,  it  can  be  easily  seen, 
on  now  became  worth- 
ley  any  farther.    They 
tiers,  and  one  of  them 
cards  till  some  of  the 
hat  it  was  not  trimmed 
lowever,  overcame  this 
)  bear  upon  their  play- 
!."    This  took  place  in 
,  so  as  to  stand  the  teat 


INVKNTORS. 


171 


of  the  closest  examination ;  for  example,  we  will  say  the  following 
cards,  kings,  queens,  aces,  and  deuces,  are  sanded  upon  their 
i)acks,  and  all  the  otlier  cards  in  the  pack  are  sanded  upon  their 
faros ;  the  curds  sanded  upon  their  backs  are  dotted  after  the 
same  manner  I  have  before  described  tlio  rounds  to  bo,  and  are 
Intended  to  work  in  a  two-card  dealing-box,  in  precisely  the 
same  manner.    The  pack  being  examined  and  pronounced  sat- 
isfactory, the  dealer  puts  it,  after  shuffling  it  fairly  and  squarply, 
into  the  dealing-box.    There  hixa  been  no  stripping  and  stack- 
ing,   consequently,  why    should    not    everything  be  fair  and 
square  ?    But  it  is  not.     It  is  all  a  fraud.     I  have  stated  that 
the  kings,  queens,  aces,  and  deuces  wore  sanded  on  their  backs, 
and  dotted  on  their  faces  near  the  margin  of  their  sides.    When- 
ever a  turn  is  made,  and  one  of  these  cards  remains  in  the  box, 
that  is,  has  won  on  the  turn,  and  a  card  sanded  on  its  face  lies 
next  to  it,  it  drugs  it  forward  against  the  plate  in  the  mouth  of 
the  box,  providing  tlio  third  card  is  also  sanded  upon  its  back. 
In  that  case  tlio  dealer  can  tell  by  the  dot  u.hui  it  what  that 
card  is.     Should  it  be  loaded  with  money,  ho  immediately 
pushes  two  cards  from  the  box,  in  order  that  this  third  card  may 
fall  for  the  bank  on  the  turn,  and  keeps  on  doing  so  on  the  oc- 
currence of  evo'7  similar  circumstance  during  tlie  deal.    The 
introduction  of  cue-boxes  rendered  this  trick  harmless,  and  pre- 
vented it  from  being  played  on  any  but  fools,  and  at  the  present 
day  it  is  not  practiced  by  sharpers. 

When  case-keeping  was  introduced,  the  old  tricks  practiced 
upon  faro-players  by  sharpers  became  useless,  except  in  the  case 
of  the  most  verdant  fools;  but  the  same  introduction  enabled 
the  noble  army  of  the  Chevaliers  d'Industrie  to  concoct  a  now 
scheme  for  robbing  those  who  staked  their  money  on  that  game. 
The  bankers  were  as  yet  too  benighted  to  adopt  the  coppg;- 
game,  and  the  players  against  their  bank  were  either  compelled 
to  bet  that  case-cards  would  win,  or  run  the  risk  of  having  their 
money  split  on  double  cards.  The  inventi(m  now  brought  on 
the  tapis  was  what  the  sharpers  termed  "  tie-ups."  •'  Tie-ups  " 
were  sometimes  as  many  as  nine  cards,  stocked  so  as  to  make 
the  last  four  cases  in  the  box  lose.  These  nine  cards  were  each 
pierced  near  the  comers  with  a  very  fine  needle.  Through  these 
holes  was  passed  a  fine  hair,  and  tied.  In  the  hands  of  a  prac- 
ticed operator,  these  cards  were  shuffle  i  with  every  appearance 


■  i 


j-„  WANUKKINOH  OK    A    VAdABOND. 

z  c;  ;:t '  :^  --1st  ;..e  .>»  l  last ....  u.,.,. ..  the 

?.^,l  ™  it  is  u  .0.1  tlH'HO  turns  tlnvt  «aral.lers  geucraiiy  play  thoir 
deal,  ami  t  is      oiu  Tboretorc  «uo  may  easily  seo  bow 

K^'^'flll  w.  8  a  tf  trick  to  the  pockets  of  the  sharpers. 
Solmrodrtiorof  co^.er.l.ettlnB  at  faro  destroyed  for  these 
irnrv  alTuBo  o,  their  "Vio-ups."  Their  inventions  arc,  however. 

Z:^t^^^^y^^^^^^  a  deannade  with  tl..n 
Po  Id  be  taken  from  tlie  box  when  desired,  and  examnicd,  and  if 
Zii  ncrfcc  ly  sqLe  upon  their  sides  and  ends,  and  not  sanded 
or  rough  d,l  was  it  possible  t.  cheat  with  themi    A  genius 
?rom  Nashville  completely  ^^-^^ed  this  aj^—  -t   >^  t^ 
ring,  by  the  invention  known  as  the  "  odd  card.      Tb>«  "^^/^^ 
vice  which  made  its  appearance  about  the  yo^r  1850,  has  last- 
Id  up  to  the  present  time,  and  has  been  successf^dly  played  on 
manv  of  the  gambling  community,  who  no  doubt  miagined  that 
So  idea  o?any  one  cheating  them  at  faro  was  beyond  the  range 

"^fhe^'Scard"  is  the  introduction  of  an  extra  card  into  the 
mck  •  for  example,  we  will  say  that  the  extra  card  is  the  deuce 
of  sp£.     It  and  the  deuce  of  spades  belonging  to  the  pack 
are  ?oughed  upon  their  faces  with  sand-paper,  no  other  cards  n 
Se  pack  being  so  roughed  but  them,  all  the  others  being  rou-^h- 
ed  upon  tS  backs  4th  sand-paper.    The  two  deuces  of  shades 
are  marked  upon  their  backs,  in  order  that  they  may  be  easdy 
discrered  in  the  shuffle.     Their  backs  are  also  pohshed  with 
S  sp  rmaceti.     This  is  done  in  order  that  Jl^  c-ds  may 
elide  easily  off  them  whenever  the  pack  is  divided  into  two  por- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  shuffling.    The  Bmooth  faces  of  the  other 


•s  thoy  wore  piayctl 
When  the  oponvtor 
iibovo  tho  tic(l-up 
While  pUichiK  tho 
tho  Hhiirp  imIro  of 
I  for  that  piirpoao. 
(t  four  tuniH  of  tho 
generally  pliiy  tholr 
may  easily  see  how 
(ts  of  tho  sharpers, 
destroyed  for  thoao 
itions  are,  however, 

•tlon  of  case-boards, 
of  laro  would  have 
cticod  upon  them  at 
callng-box  was  duly 
all  nuiHt  1)0  on  tho 
al  made  with  them, 
md  examined,  and  if 
snda,  and  not  sanded 
th  themf    A  genius 
rgument  out  of  the 
ard."     This  now  do- 
)  year  1850,  has  last- 
Liccessfully  played  on 
doubt  imagined  that 
yas  beyond  tho  range 

m  extra  card  into  the 
tra  card  is  the  deuce 
elonging  to  the  pack 
per,  no  other  cards  in 
0  others  being  rous.!h- 
3  two  deuces  of  s^iades 
at  they  may  bo  easily 
ire  also  polished  with 
that  the  cards  may 
divided  into  two  por- 
ooth  faces  of  the  other 


iMi^ 


\ 


INVENTORS. 


173 


cards  glide  easily  off  their  polished  backs,  while  tho  sand  upon 
rest  of  tho  i)acl<,  and  keeps  them  in  a  llrm  position  so  timt  t  n 

si;rr;,:™r:;el;:  T"-  ";- ""'"  <"  '■«  Xi"  "SJ 

uniK,  un(  s  one  of  tho  doucos  of  Hpades  to  ho  the  ton  card  of 
hat  portion  of  the  pa.k  whi,.].  ho  I.oI.Ih  in  his  right   nnd     Be 

iurb;;n;;r:;ir'.''"f  '"^^"•^^'  '--ticel^thJ^s  u^ 

pack  W  w  ;  V  r'  "."'"'•'•''  "^^  "'''"•  '>''"«  ""  "'"^  ^"P  "f '  ho 
hearts  On  th  1  /  f '  T,  "'t""™'  ^^""^  '"«  ''»'>'l  '«  »'•«  k'ng  of 
d  u  e'of  ;,  ad  s  I."'  1 '"  ''"!"'"?  '^""^  together,  ho  places  the 
cara  on  the  first  deuce  of  spades,  ana  then  glides  tho  pack  anirt 

crhirs"r'n<fr"    ^'^'""'"  "''""•-  '^  hoslmE'.S? 
le    eof  sna^^^^^^  ''"'"^  '"'  "«  A^^s  the  second 

aouco  of  spades,  which  he  shuffles  on  the  top  of  tho  stock  and 

b^'m^r^oV  ^byf ..t^ca^r  S^^lfr'-  "-'"^■'^-' 
Every  card  whi^.  ^o!^^^' J^':'^^:^^':^;, 

rcte^Srlir  iT  "  ^'^^-«■•"^l'-•  ''''-  ontirTdlK! 
auctea  lairly  untd  it  comes  down  to  tho  last  turn.     On  the  nro 

aX  To'ou"^^^^^^^^^^^  '?:'  "^°  '''''  ''''''  •'-  -"^^^^^^t 
deS  t  ril  ^  ?  ""'^  ,*"'■"'  ""•'  "«  '-appearance  warns  the 
dealer  that  his  work  is  now  before  him.     For  example,  a  deuco 

it'  in  ^,o"d'Jr'"'f ''  '"^ ''''  '^*^""-^«''^^^'  '-^  ^'»°  carS  rei: 
on?  o?H  1  H  '^"  '''^'     ^^'^""ling  to  his  stock  ho  can  make 

one  of  the  deuces  win  or  lose  on  the  turn  as  he  pleases.    Should 

It  loses.  But  If  it  be  for  his  mtorest  that  it  should  win.  ho  shoves 
from  ho  box  at  once  two  cards;  underneath  the  k  ng  of  hearts IJ 
fir"'  nH  t^'T  ^°"'°  "'  ^P^^''^-  ^'>°  "«-^t  being  either  a  six  or  i 

deuce  SsoaSl  h  "''''''  ""'"'  °"'  '^"^''  ^"'^  ^^  ^ide  the  second 
fr!^  .u  f  ^'  ^"^  P'^''*"  "P«"  the  lever,  and  shoves  two  cards 
from  the  box  the  underneath  one  being  the  second  deuce  afteJ 
it  comes  the  "hockelty  "  card,  which  ends  the  dea?,  Sli'a^  far 

?f  h^'m"?  ''.r''''''^'  ^"^«  ^''"•"•••^^  satisfaction  to  thl  pb^ors' 
If  he  makes  ,t  wm,  and  turns  out  the  king  of  hearts  with  the  flS 

a  fo"  'ml  V\  '""^^'^ '''  *'"^  ""-^^  ^-^  -"'  '-  eZr  a  ^ix  or 
LVnl  ;  i  ?""^  card,  and  tho  one  following  that  is  the 
deuce  of  spades,  the  winning  card,  which  remams  in  the  bix. 


I 


174  WAKDBMNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

The  comm..nding  of  a  single  turn  on  a  deal  may  seem  at  first 

«<foiil  nlav"  wore  the  pack  to  come  out  short  at  the  ena  oi  vub 
diaf  MoreoTer!  players  of  this  description  playhigh,  and  make 

wa  nefoX  tri^^^  tried  to  protect  themselves  by  counting 

Tho  cards  before  playing  against  them,  but  such  suspicious  in- 

ins  manner.  He  hides  under  the  lay-out  next  to  his  simramg 
bourne"  tra  deuce  of  spades,  and  ^  ^7^^  ^^0!"™  of 
alone  of  whom  he  has  doubts,  or  who  has  been  in  tlie  liaoit  01 
cSlng  the  pack  before  playing  against  it,  he  hands  him  over 
a  mck!f  c.,rds  for  examination.    Should  his  customer  decline, 

the  odTcid,  and  it  will  not  answer  for  a  bungler  to  attempt  it 
Ipon  any  except  the  most  verdant  fools     It  requires  long  prac- 
.•       o\,i  r,rp-,i-  nitience  to  be  a  skillful  manipulator  of  this 
IVlchofStsCsrsLrpers  Who  have  attainedt^^^^^^^^ 
degree  of  excellence  in  this  respect  have  in  the  end  been  fre- 
quently detected  in  playing  it  upon  their  customers 
%o  make  the  cheat  stronger,  two  odd  «f  d^/^^^^^^/^^f  .^X. 
A  ,„^i  intn  thfl  nack  bv  some  sharpers,  which  they  call    Qity 
Jr-    But  the 'work  required  to  s'tock  and  ™--ge^- «f^ 
Ss  in  a  pack  is  rather  of  a  bungling  order,  and  it  is  seldom 
Sd  except  in  aristocratic  skinning-houses,  where  it  is  gener- 
ally resorted  to  when  the  customers  insist  upon  keepmg  the 
cases  with  cue-papers. 


C  ^ 


J 


IND.  ' 

il  may  seem  at  first 
3  80  when  compared 
party  of  gamblers, 
le,  except  upon  such 
jrs  of  any  kind,  and 
1  they  come  from  the 
lid  immediately  cry 
,rt  at  the  end  of  the 
playhigh,  and  make 
ircumstance  gives  to 
ough  the  trick  called 
enty  odd  years,  it  is 
y  faro-players,  being 
emselves  by  counting 
t  such  suspicious  in- 
liarper  in  the  follow- 
next  to  his  shuffling 
ver  a  customer  comes 
1  been  in  the  habit  of 
t,  he  hands  him  over 
his  customer  decline, 
it  into  the  pack  and 
counts  over  tho  pack, 
3  or  two  deals  on  the 
jnfldence  of  his  man, 
to  work  on  him. 
so  difficult  as  playing 
bungler  to  attempt  it 
It  requires  long  prac- 
1  manipulator  of  this 
ve  attained  the  highest 
e  in  the  end  been  fre- 
customers. 

cards  have  been  intro- 
which  they  call"  flfty- 
ind  manage  two  extra 
Drder,  and  it  is  seldom 
.uses,  where  it  is  gener- 
isist  upon  keeping  the 


( 


I 


INVENTOES. 


175 


Sharpers  did  not  entirely  confine  themselves  to  frauds  for  the 
purpose  of  robbing  faro-players;  faro-bankers  were  also  objects 
of  solicitude  to  them.  As  early  as  1836,  a  Tennesseean  named 
Miller  iuventerl  an  artful  trick  for  "snaking"  faro-boxes,  as  it  is 
called  in  the  sharper's  parlance.    This  invention  was  called 

"IHE    TONGUE-TELL." 

Although  at  the  present  time  this  trick  is  not  used  by  sharp- 
ers, nor  has  been  for  twenty  years,  yet  for  some  years  after  it 
made  its  appearance  it  was  successfully  played  upon  faro-bank- 
ers throughout  the  country  wherever  faro-playing  had  taken  a 
hold.  The  tongue-tell  was  made  by  inserting  a  false  plate  in- 
side the  dealing-box  and  underneath  its  mouth.  Fastened  to 
this  was  a  piece  of  fine  watch-spring,  which  ran  lengthwise  be- 
tween the  false  plate  and  the  side  of  the  box,  and  came  out  m  a 
fine  polished  steel  pohit  under  the  screw  on  the  right-hand  side 
of  the  box  facing  the  player. 

Fastened  to  this  watch-spring  was  a  pivot  about  the  thickness 
of  an  ordinary  sewing  needle  and  about  the  eighth  of  an  inch  in 
length.  This  pivot  penetrated  the  false  plate  through  a  hole 
drilled  for  the  purpose,  and  the  point  extended  just  sufficiently 
to  rub  against  the  fourth  card  from  the  top  in  tlie  dealing-box. 
To  make  a  pack  of  cards  work  in  this  box.  ic  was  necessary  to 
trim  them  all  on  their  sides  with  a  concave  plate,  except  the 
"tell"  cards.  For  example,  we  will  say  that  the  "tell"  cards 
are  the  queens  and  deuces;  these  are  not  trimmed  or  otherwise 
tampered  with,  except  to  harden  their  edges  ty  rubbing  them 
with  a  piece  of  fine  linen.  The  concave  cards  in  dealing  could 
not  touch  the  pivot,  as  they  gradually  rose  up  alongside  of  the 
false  plate  while  the  deal  was  progressing;  but  the  "tell"  cards 
would,  and  wlienever  one  of  these  rubbed  against  Vn-  pivot;  it 
shoved  back  the  watch-spring,  which  shoved  out  the  "tongue- 
tell"  underneath  tho  screw  of  the  box.  As  soon  as  the  "tell" 
card  passed  above  the  point  of  the  pivot,  the  "tongue-tell"  went 
back  again  under  the  screw.  Whenever  the  "tongue-tell"  stood 
out  beneath  the  screw,  it  informed  the  person  playing  it,  that 
either  a  queen  or  a  deuce  would  win  on  the  second  turn. 

A  French  watchmaker  living  in  Natchez,  by  the  name  of 
Louis  David,  manufactured  "tongue- tell"  boxes  for  more  than 


T 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


176 

ten  vears  in  which  time  he  made  a  handsome  fortune.  At  first 
he  Sed  for  a  silver  box,  the  material  of  which  did  not  cost 
^25  S,  and  for  a  German  silver,  $125;  but  in  .he  course  of 
fL  years  he  lowered  his  price  to  $125  each  for  sdver,  and 
$75Tor  those  of  German  silver.  His  boxes  had  attamed  such  a 
SeSy  for  the  superiority  and  fineness  of  their  workmanship 
that  he  was  patronized  by  sharpers  from  one  end  of  the  country 

''Be?ween''the  ye..rs  1837  and  18.52,  every  faro-sharper  in  the 
coStrv  carried  with  K  a  "  tongue-tell"  box,  and  half  a  dozen 
oHo  packs  0?  "tell"  cards.  This  kit  he  would  ring  in  upon 
verdant  gamblers  who  were  anxious  to  open  a  snap  at  faro  or  if 
InyTthese  took  stock  with  him  in  a  faro-bank,  it  is  needless  to 
aav  he  had  a  "pal"  on  the  outside  to  break  it. 

In  those  aays!  dealing-cards  were  not  squared  so  smoothly  on 
the  sides  aTends  as  at  the  present  day,  but  on  the  contrary 
wereTo  d  by  the  manufacturers  in  a  rough  and  uneven  state, 
wh  ch  greatlv  favored  the  fraud  of  "tell"  cards  from  being  de- 
Tected  When  squared  cards  became  popular  with  dealers,  t 
destroyed  the  efficiency  of  the  ''tongue-tell,"  which  was  short 
Ty  afterwards  abandoned  by  sharpers  as  an  article  "played  out. 

"THE    SAND-TELL," 

at  the  present  day,  answers  the  sharper's  purpose  for  ridding 
creen  faro-bankers  of  their  superfluous  cash.     Although  pre- 
viously, the  value  of  sand-paper  was  well-known  to  the  sharper 
Scunning  device  was  not  discovered  until  1842.    The  name  of 
the  person  who  did  so  cannot  be  handed  down  to  grateful  gen- 
erations of  these  gentry,  being  unknown.   Any  P^^s^n  possessmg 
a  spark  of  mechanical  genius,  who  has  once  seen  a  "sand-tell, 
could  "snake"  a  set  of  faro-tools.    Cards  won^  travel    n  a 
"square"  box;  that  is,  the  top  card  on  leaving  the  box  will  no 
drag  forward  the  one  immediately  beneath  it,  because  it  is  kept 
firmly  in  its  place  by  the  edge  resting  against  the  side  of  he 
box  just  below  its  mouth.    By  fastening  a  false  plate  on  the  in- 
side similar  to  those  used  in  the  two-card  boxes,  not  a,llowmg   t 
orkch  the  mouth  by  just  the  thickness  of  a  smgle  card    t 
makes  a  groove  into  which  the  second  card  is  dragged  as  the 
first  leaves  the  box  in  the  turn.    Whatever  may  be  the  thickness 


/ 


-L 


rD. 

I  fortune.  At  first 
vhich  did  not  cost 
it  in  the  course  of 
sach  for  silver,  and 
ad  attained  such  a 
heir  worliinanship, 
end  of  the  country 

aro-sharper  in  the 
:,  and  half  a  dozen 
■ould  ring  in  upon 
I  snap  at  faro,  or  if 
nk,  it  is  needless  to 
t. 

xred  so  smoothly  on 
ut  on  the  contrary 
:  and  uneven  state, 
irds  from  being  de- 
lar  with  dealers,  it 
,"  which  was  short- 
irticle  "played  out." 


purpose  for  ridding 
sh.  Although  pre- 
lown  to  the  sharper, 
1 1842.  The  name  of 
3wn  to  grateful  gen- 
.ny  person  possessing 
e  seen  a  "sand-tell," 
Is  won't  travel  in  a 
ving  the  box  will  not 

it,  because  it  is  kept 
ainst  the  side  of  the 
false  plate  on  the  in- 
boxes,  not  allowing  it 
;s  of  a  single  card,  it 
Lvd  is  dragged  as  the 

may  be  the  thickness 


MHSM. 


INVENTORS. 


177 


of  the  false  plate,  say  the  eighth  of  an  inch,  just  that  space  will 
the  second  card  be  dragged,  till  its  edge  comes  in  contact  with 
the  mouth  of  the  box.  Such  an  extent  of  space,  or  even  the 
sixteenth  of  an  inch,  would  almost  certainly  load  to  detection, 
consequently  the  fiilse  plate  is  seldom  made  thicker  than  about 
thrice  the  thickness  of  an  ordinary  playing-card.  If  the  groove 
l)ctween  the  edge  of  the  fiilse  plate  and  the  mouth  of  the  box  is 
large  enough  to  admit  two  cards,  or  if  too  small  to  admit  one, 
the  "tell"  will  not  work;  therefore  the  groove  must  be  precisely 
as  large  and  no  larger  than  to  admit  one  card  at  a  time  to  enter. 
When  a  plate  of  this  kind  is  placed  in  a  "square"  box,  a  fair 
pack  of  cards  will  travel  in  it,  or,  in  other  words,  the  top  card, 
while  the  dealer  is  making  his  turn,  will  drag  the  one  unme- 
diately  underneath  it  forward  towards  the  mouth  of  the  box,  just 
a  distance  corresponding  with  the  thickness  of  this  false  plate. 
The  box  being  prepared,  it  is  now  necessary  to  fix  the  cards  to 
make  them  ''tell"  in  it,  which  is  accomplished  as  follows.  We 
will  select, from  the  pack,  for  example,  all  the  deuces,  aces,  and 
trois;  these  we  will  touch  lightly  on  their  faces  with  sand-paper, 
not  molesting  any  of  the  other  cards  of  the  pack.  Wo  will  now 
shuflBe  up  the  pack,  and  put  it  in  the  dealing-box.  Whenever 
we  make  a  turn,  we  can  see  that  the  top  card,  as  it  is  shoved 
from  the  box,  drags  after  it  one  of  the  others  as  far  as  the  mouth, 
unless  it  is  one  of  those  we  have  sanded  on  their  faces.  The 
sanded  faces  of  the  aces,  deuces,  and  trois,  hold  the  cards  on  the 
top  of  them  steady,  so  the  manipulator,  when  he  sees  the  top  card 
stand  firm,  knows  by  that  sign  that  a  trois,  deuce,  or  ace  lies  im- 
mediately beneath  it,  and  as  long  as  he  can  see  that  the  top 
card  has  moved  in  the  smallest  degree,  or  traveled  towards  the 
mouth  of  the  box,  he  can  bet  behind  those  three  cards  without 
fear  of  losing. 

It  requires  much  practice  and  a  quick  eye  to  work  a  "  saud- 
tell  "  well  when  the  work  upon  the  box  and  cards  is  done  finely. 
Sharpers  at  this  fraud  have  frequently  been  detected,  either  from 
the  coarseness  of  the  workmanship  on  the  tools,  or  because  their 
avarice  spurred  them  on  to  win  all  the  money  they  could,  for 
fear  the  cheat  would  be  detected.  A  shrewd  sharper  never  bets 
on  any  of  the  "  snaked  "  cards  until  they  become  cases;  he  plays 
away  from  them,  and  is  careful  to  make  no  unnatural  bets, 
which  might  draw  upon  him  the  suspicions  of  the  bankers  or  by- 


-rii^fttHl>J!'i,W|< 


178 


•WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


8tander8.    If  he  can  win  four  or  five  bets  on  a  deal,  at  the  most, 
he  is  satisfied,  and  in  this  manner  plays  along  slowly  till  he 

breaks  the  bank.  , ,,     ,,       a  *^^^  •• 

The  faro-dealers  in  this  country  who  will  stand  the    sand- teU 
may  be  numbered  by  hundreds ;  but  they  have  protected  them- 
seivoa  from  this  and  other  frauds  by  keeping  their  tools  m  strong 
safes.    At  the  present  day  there  are  few  bankers  who  do  not  use 
a  safe  to  protect  themselves  from  the  artful  dodges  of  these 

""  ThTstealing  of  a  set  of  faro-tools,  in  order  to  "snake"  them, 
first  led  to  the  detection  of  "  tie-ups."    The  affair  took  place  a 
Columbus,  Georgia,  where  a  couple  of  itinerant  sharpers  dropped 
in  with  a  card-box  full  of  "  tie-ups."  Columbu.  was  at  r^at  time 
a  Uvely  place,  and  at  that  time  contained  as  bard  a  sot  of  ca^^s 
in  the  gambling  line  ps  could  be  found  among  the  whole  fraterm- 
tv      They  were  all  "high  rollers"  against  faro,  had  plenty  of 
money,  and,  if  the  cards  came  favorably,  would  ".haw  up  ■   a 
bank  in  double-quick  time.     On  this  party  our  "  tie-up    sharp- 
ers commenced  their  labors,  and  in  three  nights  succc  u  dm  de- 
pleting them  to  the  amount  of  about  $4,000.    One  ot  •  .  Lolum- 
blans  was  versed?'.!  the  scientific  principles  of  the  '  •^ui.l-tell, 
which  had  been  discovered  a  short  while  bofore :  cousequentb 
he  held  a  consultation  with  several  companions^  when,  alter  a 
stormy  debate,  it  was  unanimously  voted  that  the  two  .strangers 
weJr^suckers,  "  and  ought  to  be  "  goosed."    The  two  "tie-up' 
sharps  opened  their  game  every  evening  in  the    •..;■     ^oo^  «'  » 
coffee-house,  which  was  fitted  up  for  '    ;'  pury- ^  ''T^  ?uL 
After  they  had  closed  their  game  they  to  .c  their  Um  wita  them 
to  their  room  in  the  hove'-,  in  order  to  arrange  their  dieM)rganized 
"  tie-ups  "  to  havr  :  ,  .,    ent  for  the  next  night.    The  fact  ^  the 
faro-^oolsbeing.i^iuU,  'r  rooms  during  the  day  came  to  the 
knovs  iedge  of  m ve  r,f  t-  .  Columbians.    Two  of  them  were  dt^- 
gated  to  entertain  the  two  strangers,  by  showing  theni  the  mo,  t 
beautiful  parts  of  the  city,  while  the  others  stole  the  tools  from 
their  room  and  "  snaked  "  them.  The  first  part  of  the  P™gran mie 
being  duly  accomplished,  the  other  delegates  took  the  kit  oi 
tools  into  another  room  in  the  hotel,  where  it  was  opened  by 
means  of  false  keys.  When  the  contents  of  the  card-box  were  ex- 
posed to  the  vulgar  gaze  of  the  "snakers-  i*  ^''eate*  °  V;!"^ 
astonishment.    For  the  first  time  they  learned  the  virtue  of   tie- 


a  deal,  iit  the  moBt, 
along  sloT.ly  till  be 

andtbe  "sand- tell"' 
ivo  protected  them- 
thcir  tools  in  strong 
ikers  who  do  not  use 
;M  dodges  of  these 

er  to  "snake"  them, 
affair  took  place  at 
ant  sharpers  dropped 
ibufe  was  at  f.^at  time 
3  hard  a  set  of  cawos 
agthe  whole  fraterni- 
t  faro,  had  plenty  of 
would  "liiaw  up"  a 
our  "  tie-up  "  sbarp- 
ghts8ucce<  ud  inde- 
I.    One  of  ■  ^   Colum- 

I  of  the  "•^uid-tell," 
befiire :  consequently 
larijons,  when,  after  a 
Liat  llio  two  strangers 
."    'i'bo  tvm  "tie-up" 

II  the  l:.<''-  room  of  a 
/  purpo;  J  especially, 
t  their  tcoia  with  them 
Qgo  thfcir  disorganized 
ight.    The  fact  c^"  the 

the  day  cime  to  the 
wo  of  them  were  de'e- 
lowing  them  the  mo,'t 
ra  stole  the  tools  from 
part  of  the  programme 
sgates  took  the  kit  of 
lere  it  was  opened  by 

the  card-box  were  ex- 
3"  it  created  no  little 
med  the  virtue  of"  tie- 


INVENTOBS. 


179 


ups,"  and  how  they  had  been  swindled  out  of  their  money  during 
the  last  few  days.    The  knowledge  added  a  desire  for  revenge  to 
their  cupidity ;  a  false  plate  was  put  into  the  box,  the  "  tied-up  " 
stocks  were  not  molested,  but  certain  cards  in  each  pack  were 
sanded,  after  which  the  tools  were  carefully  returned  to  the  place 
where  they  were  found,  everything  being  restored  to  the  same 
position  as  before  they  were  molested.     The  sharpers  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  mysteries  of  a  "  sand-tell,"  but  so  deeply 
immersed  were  they  in  their  own  "  little  game,"  that  they  did  not 
even  suspect  anyone  there  of  any  designs  on  them,  and  fell  vic- 
tims to  their  cupidity  and  excessive  confidence.    The  Georgians 
performed  their  part  well.     The  iiict  of  finding  the  "tie-ups" 
convinced  them  that  they  had  under-estimated  the  talents  of  the 
two  strangers  ;  that  they  were  not  quite  such  "  suckers  "  as  they 
had  supposed,  and,  therefore,  it  might  be  prudent  to  act  rather 
cautiously  with  thom.  Accordingly  they  played  along  warily,  but 
heavily,  making  no  unnatural  bets,  all  playing  together,  in  order 
to  win  what  they  could  before  the  cards  came  down  to  the  '  tied- 
up  stock,"  not  refusing  to  avert  suspicion  by  throwing  away  a 
portion  of  their  gains  on  the  "  stocked"  cases.     This  they  could 
afford  to  do,  as  the  sharpers  made  at  least  two  deals  with  each 
pack  before  changing  it  for  a  fresh  one.    When  the  sharpers  had 
expended  what  "tie-ups"  they  had,  tlioy  closed  their  game- 
losers  by  about  $8,000— and  retired  to  their  sleeping-room  for 
the  night.    When  they  commenced  arranging  their  "tie-ups" 
for  another  sitting,  they  found,  tn  their  mortification,  not  only 
that  their  trick  had  been  discovered,  but,  also,  that  their  tools 
had  been  "snaked."     Not  having  sufficient  nerve  to  meet  the 
jeers  of  the  Columbians,  they  took  the  stage  early  in  the  morning 
for  Montgomery. 


^<i:& 


180 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER   XVI 


INCUBI. 


It  is  a  popular  fallfwy  that  those  terrible  demons  that  disturbed 
the  rest  of  our  forefathers  have  vanished,  with  many  otliors  of 
the  belongings  of  those  good  old  days.     But  they  are  still 
amongst  us,  though  they  now  empty  our  pockets  while  broad 
awake,  instead  of  sucking  our  blood  while  asleep.    These  vam- 
pires carry  on  their  depleting  process  under  the  disgmses  of 
various  callings,  and  practice  upon  the  peaceful  and  industrious 
their  robberies  and  extortions  under  many  shapes.    The  class  of 
mankind  that  are  free  from  their  machinations  must  be,  m  world- 
ly goods,  poor  indeed.    They  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin ;  but 
prey  upon  their  fellow  men  for  sustenance.     Among  them  may 
be  found  hereditary  landowners,  monopolists  of  every  description, 
cunning  priests,  scheming  lawyers,  usurious  "  grip-alls,"  corrupt 
iudgea,  scurvy  politicians,  greedy  speculators,  and  blackmaik-vs 
of  every  description.    The  crimes  of  these  are  not  within  the 
province  of  these  memoirs.    The  pens  of  many  abler  scribes  have 
exposed  their  depredations  upon  peaceful  industry,  but  they  are 
as  powerful,  rapacious,  and  selfish  as  ever,  and  will  continue  to 
be  so  until  the  broad  l„ht  of  intelligence  is  more  generally  dif- 
fused among  the  lower  classes.    It  is  with  the  incubi  known  as 
"  gambling  sharpers,"  who  infest  the  land,  "  seeking  whom  they 
may  devcur,"  that  I  now  propose  to  deal;  because  I  am  more 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  manners,  customs,  and  irtful 
dodges  of  that  cunning  race  of  thieves,  than  of  those  of  their 
brethren  in  infamy. 

Prejudice  is  filtered  by  ignorance.  The  public  at  large  has 
never  had  anything  like  a  correct  knowledge  of  gambling  or  gam- 
blers—tho  different  relations  and  degrees  of  social  standing 
which  exist  among  them,  their  manners  and  habits,  the  charac- 
ter of  their  rooms,  the  patrons  who  frequent  them,  or  the  games 
of  chance  played  there,  or  the  manner  in  which  those  games  are 
conducted.  Dice-coggers,  three-card  throwers,  red  and  black 
dealers,  strap  players  and  their  ilk,  with  their  cappers,  generally 
of  the  worst  rowdy  order,  have  been  met  with  at  fairs  and  other 
public  gatherings,  and  formerly  on  race-cou-ses,  plying  their 


sv. 


rNCtJBI. 


18] 


mons  that  disturbed 
ith  many  others  of 

But  tbey  aro  still 
•ockets  while  broad 
sleep.  These  vam- 
er  the  disguises  of 
eful  and  industrious 
lapes.  The  class  of 
IS  must  be,  in  world- 
;r  do  they  spin ;  but 

Among  them  may 
of  every  description, 

"  grip-alls,"  corrupt 
rs,  and  blackmaik-i*5 
I  are  not  within  the 
iny  abler  scribes  have 
dustry,  but  they  are 
and  will  continue  to 

more  generally  dif- 
:he  incubi  known  as 
"  seeking  whom  they 

because  I  am  more 

customs,  and  irtful 
lan  of  those  of  their 

(  public  at  large  has 
B  of  gambling  or  gam- 
5  of  social  standing 
id  habits,  the  charac- 
it  them,  or  the  games 
hich  those  games  are 
)wer8,  red  and  black 
eir  cappers,  generally 
rith  at  fairs  and  other 
■cou'-ses,  plying  their 


calling.  This  class  has  been  taken,  by  the  nublic  in  general,  as 
a  representative  one  of  the  gambling  community ,  for  the  reason 
that  no  opportunity  has  been  given  them  for  more  correct  judc- 
meut.  The  press  of  the  country,  either  through  ignorance  or 
design,  has  placed  gamblers  before  the  people  on  the  same  grade 
aa  thieves  and  murderers;  then  why  should  the  community  at 
large  be  blamed  for  not  judging  them  more  favorably  ? 

For  many  years  the  fraternity  has  keenly  felt  this  cruel  wrong, 
and,  through  this  misjudgment,  have  at  various  times  suffered 
many  persecutions.  Those  of  them  able  to  take  up  the  pen 
in  defense  of  the  brotherhood  have  been  deterred  from  doing 
80  by  a  fear  of  outrage  from  a  horde  of  banded  sharpers,  who 
have  become  powerful  in  this  country  through  their  wealth  and 
influence.  To  place  the  gambler  in  his  proper  light  before  the 
puohc,  and  expose  the  rascally  practices  of  the  sharper,  is  the 
prmcipal  object  of  this  work.  >  »  ^uo 

A    GAMBLER 

Is  a  person  willing  to  back  his  opinion,  whenever  he  is  in' 
possession  of  any  money  with  which  to  do  so.    His  studies  are 
the  doctrme  of  chances,  and  the  science  of  playing  -'short 
games;"  that  is,  popular  games,  like  poker,  brag,  Boston,  whist, 
cnbbage,  all-fours,  euchre,  ecarte,  chess,  billiards,  backgammon 
etc.    By  studying  the  doctrine  of  chances,  he  makes  himself 
acquainted  with  the  percentage  of  banking  games  of  chance, 
such  as  faro,  roulette,  monte,  rouge-et-noir,  lansquenet,  hazard 
vmgt-et-un,  etc.    A   thorough-bred  gambler  will  hazard  his 
money  at  all  short  games  with  which  he  is  acquainted,  and  often 
too  when  he  is  overmatched.     He  will  also  bet  his  money  on 
banking  games  of  chance,  on  elections,  horse-races,  boat-races 
boxmg-matches,  cock-fights,  and  even  on  raffles  for  turkeys  if 
nothing  better  offers.    It  would  be  impossible  to  make  a  correct 
estimate  of  this  class,  but  I  scarcely  think  that  within  the  broad 
limit  of  Uncle  Sam's  dominions   three  hundred  thorough-bred 
gamblers  can  be  found. 

The  majority  of  sporting  men  may  be  more  correctly  ciassea 
aa  gambling  bankers.  The  greater  part  of  these  rely  solely  on 
banking  games  of  chance  without  playing  against  them  or 
hazarding  their  money  at  games  of  short  cards  or  other  sports  of 


-WjjWt'.ii^lMJlWiitf''^ 


182  WANEERINQS  OF  A  VAGABOKD. 

the  kind.    Among  them  are  some  who  will  risk  their  money 
only  in  dealing  faro,  some  in  banking   vingt-et-un,  some  m 
roulette,  others  in  raonto,  and  still  others  in  banking  chuck.    The 
majority  of  faro  bankers  are  as  ready  to  play  their  money  against 
the  game  as  to  bank  it ;  so  also  will  monte  bankers ;  but  it  is  a 
rare  thing  to  see  chuck,  roulette,  or  vingt-et-un  bankers,  play 
against  each  other's  games.    Many  gamblers  will  play  at  short 
games  and  against  faro,  who  will  not  risk  their  money  banknig 
any  game  of  chance.    Some  depend  entirely  on  short  games  and 
would  not  risk  their  money  on  any  banking  game  whatever. 
Regarding  the  number  of  regular  gamblers  in  this  country,  1 
doubt  if  the  number  who  may  bo  thus  classed  will  reach  two 
thousand,  and  they  are  now  more  numerous  than  at  any  former 
period,  on  account  of  the  many  produced  by  our  civil  war.    But 
in  addition  to  these  tUere  are  at  least  four  hundred  more  who  may 
be  classed  as 

MIXED    GAMBLEBS, 

Who  hazard  their  money  in  banking  games  of  chance  and  at 
•  whatever  short  games  they  play,  with  confidence;  many  of  them 
being  inferior  to  none  in  playing  poker,  Boston,  brag,  all-fours, 
whist,  etc.    For  the  most  part  they  are  men  who  have  either  in- 
herited or  gained  a  sufficient  competency,  and  are  m  nowise 
dependent  on  their  play  for  a  livelihood.    Many  of  them  move  m 
the  highest  walks  of  life,  and  among  them  may  be  found  doctors, 
lawyers,  kotel  proprietors,  merchants,  brokers,  politicians,  etc. 
They  are  fond  of  gambling  and  the    society  of  gentlemanly 
gamblers,  to  whom  they  often  loan  money  when  in  need,  and 
frequently  take  what  is  called  a  silent  share  in  their  business. 
They  are  mostly  shrewd,  calculating  business  men,  well  versed 
in  all  the  phases  of  Ufa,  good  judges  of  character,  and  have 
commanded  generally  more  than  ordinary  political  influence 
among  the  authorities  of  their  places  of  residence.    They  have 
been  the  friend  of  the  professional  gambler,  whenever  the  hand 
of  persecution  has  been  raised  against  him.    Gamblers  and 
mixed  gamblers  form  the  nucleus  from  which  emanate  all  the 
square  gambling  in  the  country.    Their  numbers  are  far  less  than 
the  public  suppose.    The  uninitiated  arc  deceived  by  the  large 
number  of  employes,  and  the  immense  amount  of  hangers-on  at 
a  suite  of  gambling-rooms.  aA  these  claim  to  be  gamblers,  and 


J 


D. 

risk  their  money 
gt-et-un,  some  in 
iking  chuck.  The 
lieir  money  against 
ankers ;  but  it  is  a 
-un  bankers,  play 

will  play  at  short 
eir  money  banking 
a  short  games,  and 
g  game  whatever. 

in  this  country,  I 
jsed  will  reach  two 
than  at  any  former 
our  civil  war.  But 
dred  more  who  may 


)s  of  chance  and  at 
mce;  many  of  them 
,on,  brag,  all-fours, 
who  have  either  in- 
and  are  in  nowise 
my  of  them  move  in 
ly  be  found  doctors, 
ers,  politicians,  etc. 
ety  of  gentlemanly 
when  in  need,  and 
•e  in  their  business. 
iss  men,  well  versed 
iharacter,  and  have 
f  political  influence 
jidence.    They  have 
',  whenever  the  hand 
lim.    Gamblers  and 
hich  emanate  all  the 
ibers  are  far  less  than 
leceived  by  the  large 
unt  of  hangers-on  at 
I  to  be  gamblers,  aad 


INCTTBI. 


183 


are  naturally  taken  for  such  by  the  public  at  largo.  I  shall  now 
separate  from  the  assistantsor  hirelings  the  hangers-on  and  other 
leeches  who  follow  on  the  heels  of  gamblers,  but  who  have  no 
real  status  in  their  community.  First  of  all  I  shall  marshal  to  the 
front 

THE    ASSISTANT    OAMBLEE. 

Two  persons  at  least  are  required  to  conduct  a  faro,  roulette, 
or  monte  bank.  I  have  seen  as  many  as  ten  employed  at  the 
same  time  at  a  monte  bank  in  the  city  of  Mexico.  All  large 
faro  banks  in  this  country  have  usually  as  many  as  four  engaged 
at  any  rate.  It  may  happen  that  each  of  these  four  persons  are 
interested  in  the  bank ;  such  is  frequently  the  case— many  bank- 
ing games  being  conducted  cutircly  by  their  owners.  But  faro 
bankers,  like  the  majority  of  mankind  who  are  above  tho  necessity, 
dislike  manual  labor ;  and  the  dealing  of  all  kinds  of  the  games 
mentioned  certainly  comes  under  that  head.  Consequently, 
there  are  very  few  faro-banks  dealt  in  this  country,  that  have 
not  at  least  one  assistant  employed,  and  several  can  be  found 
that  keep  constantly  as  many  as  four.  It  would  be  impossible 
for  bankers  to  conduct  their  games  without  their  help.  Nearly 
all  the  banks  on  the  Pacific  slope  have  four  of  these  retainers 
employed,  two  to  conduct  the  game  during  the  day,  and  the 
others  to  attend  to  it  during  the  night.  Years  ago,  it  was 
customary  in  the  Atlantic  States  to  divide  among  the  assistants 
what  small  change  was  taken  at  the  bank  during  the  day,  and 
in  a  few  banks  the  custom  is  still  retained ;  but  the  majority  of 
bankers,  finding  themselves  considerable  losers  by  the  custom, 
were  forced  to  abar'lon  it.  Their  assistants,  in  many  cases, 
would  give  to  outside  cronies  money  to  buy  small  change  to  play 
against  their  bank,  thus  taking  a  chance  to  win  and  none  to 
lose ;  for  if  the  money  was  lost  against  the  bank  it  was  divided 
amongst  the  employes  when  the  game  closed.  At  the  present 
time,  in  the  Atlantic  States,  assistants  receive  from  $5.00  to 
$10.00  per  day,  and  some  have  not  been  paid  more  than  $7.00 
per  week ;  but  such  cases  are  rare,  and  exist  only  among  New 
England  bankers,  whose  custom  it  is  to  pay  their  journeyman 
dealers  very  low.  Many  of  these  assistants  get,  in  the  course 
of  time,  an  interest  of  five  per  cent,  in  the  banks  where  they 
deal,  and  some  as  high  as  ten.    In  tho  territories  and  on  this 


Ig4  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAOABOND. 

Pacific  Slope  thoy  arc  paid  $10.(K}  a  day,  and  many  are  allowed 
a  dollar  each  day  from  tlio  ;4anio,  for  dinner  monoy.  In  the 
Western  and  Southern  States,  they  receive  from  $o.00  to  «iu.uu 
per  day  for  their  services,  the  price  varying  witli  tlie  capability 
and  trustworthiness  of  the  employe.  The  mass  of  assistant 
Ramblers  have  no  talent  for  card  playing ;  few  among  them 
could  be  rated  as  sc(;ond  class  short  card  players,  an<l  scarcely 
one  among  them  has  been  capable  of  protecting  the  games 
at  which  they  we-  e  employed,  against  the  arts  of  sharpers. 

The  dealing  of  all  banking  games  is  a  labor  which  may  be 
taught  to  a  person  of  ordinary  capacity  within  a  few  weeks. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  make  an  estimate  ol  the  numbers  of 
the  assistant  gamblers,  from  the  fact  that  they  spring  up  and 
retire  from  sight  according  to  the  increase  or  decrease  of  gamb- 
ling, both  public  and  private.   During  the  California  excitement, 
in  the  space  of  two  years  more  than    -vo  thousand  sprung  mto 
existenSe.    As  gambling  decreased  m.  .y  of  tbese^ough    other 
occupations;  but  the  great  bulk  of  them  followed  the  fortunes  of 
Gen.  Wra.  Walker,  in  his  Nicaraguan  expedition,  where  the  cU- 
mate,  bad  whiskey,  and  the  bullets  of  the  natives,  in  a  majority  of 
cases  closed  their  mortal  career.    The  few  who  returned  to  Nov^ 
Orleans  were  a  burden  on  the  city ;  many  died  m  the  hospitals, 
and  the  few  who  remained  on  earth  were  swallowed  up  m  the 
army  during  our  civil  war.    During  the  rebellion,  gambling  in- 
creased rapidly  all   over  the    ountry,  and  before  its  suppres- 
sion, at  least  ten  times  as  many  faro-banks  as  before  flourished 
in  the  country,  and  gave  employment  to  at  least  fifteen  hundred 
assistant  gamblers,  who  were  all  creations  of  the  war. 

With  the  ceasing  of  the  war  gamtling  greatly  decreased,  and 
the  faro-banks,  roulette  wheels,  vingt-et-un,  and  chuck-games 
dwindled  down  in  a  proportion  of  ten  to  three.  In  consequence 
of  this,  the  newly-created  gamblers  were  driven  to  other  occupsf 
tions  for  a  livehhood.  A  few  still  hung  around  the  gamblmg- 
rooms  of  the  different  cities,  living  upon  the  bounty  of  profes- 
sional  gamblers,  or  by  wheedling  a  few  checks  from  faro-players, 
borrowing  a  few  dollars  when  they  could,  and  in  this  way  kept 
soul  and  body  together.  Finally  they  wore  themselves  out,  and 
were  obliged  to  seek  other  climes  or  some  other  pursuit  for 
maintenance.  Perhaps  one  thousand  f  «'«^^"<i  eambh^rs  are  8^ 
present  employed  around  the  different  faro-bauks  in  the  United 


D, 

many  arc  allowed 
r  money.    In  the 
)m  $5.iX)  to  $10.00 
Yith  the  capability 
inas.s  of  assistant 
few  among  them 
yers,  an<l  scarcely 
tooting  the  games 
s  of  sharpers, 
bor  which  may  be 
1  a  few  weeks. 
(  of  the  numbers  of 
hey  spring  up  and 
dccrea.se  of  gamb- 
lifornia  excitement, 
nisand  sprung  into 
these  sought  other 
iwed  the  fortunes  of 
ition,  where  the  ch- 
ives, in  a  majority  of 
■ho  returned  to  New 
ed  in  the  hospitals; 
wallowed  up  in  the 
ellion,  gambling  in- 
beforo  its  suppres- 
as  before  flourished 
sast  fifteen  hundred 
■  the  war. 

eatly  decreased,  and 
1,  and  chuck-gamea 
•ee.  In  consequence 
veu  to  other  occupsf 
ound  the  gambling- 
le  bounty  of  profes- 
Ijs  from  faro-players, 
md  in  this  way  kept 
I  themselves  out,  and 
ne  other  pursuit  for 
tant  gamblers  are  at 
banks  in  the  United 


^<<i  L  c  < 


18S 


States  and  territories.     I  shall  now  bring  forward  a  class  for 
whom  I  am  unable  to  And  a  more  appropriate  name  than 

STCOPDANT     OAMBLEBS. 

This  parasitical  class  hang  around  all  kind  of  gambling  bank- 
ers, whom  they  contrive  to  leecli  in  one  way  or  another.  Among 
them  are  to  l)e  found  men  of  culture  and  rotiuomont,  who  con- 
sider labor  degrading,  but  are  not  ashamed  to  become  the  spies 
.and  pimps  of  gain'«'<M'a,  from  whoso  pockets,  as  they  are  des- 
titute of  al'  ^  talent,  they  derive  their  support.  Some, 
on  account .  ,-uoir  comimniouablo  qualities,  have  their  expenses 
paid  by  the  banker  to  whom  thuy  cling;  others  make  them- 
Rclves  useful  by  keeping  the  accounts  of  a  gambling-house,  and 
transacting  out-door  bu.sinoss ;  and  not  a  few  liavo  obtained  the 
coMndencc  of  their  patrons  to  such  a  dogreo  a.s  to  l)o  entrusted 
witli  the  money  licloiiging  to  the  l)ank,  and  tlio  control  of  its 
donicstic  aflfairs,  for  which  they  receive  a  salary  of  from  $100  to 
$150  per  month.  Others  of  them  obtain  a  small  interest  in  the 
bank,  for  their  real  or  supposed  influence  in  obtaining  customers. 
There  is  als»  the  protector  of  the  faro-bank,  goiieraily  a  worn- 
out  prize-fighter  resting  on  his  laurels,  in  many  places  an  im- 
portant personage.  Sometimes  ho  is  only  a  bully  of  tho  better 
description,  whose  presence  in  the  rougher  order  of  gambling- 
houses  is  a  discouragement  to  rowdyism,  and  whose  services  are 
usually  requited  at  the  rate  of  from  $5  to  .$10  per  day.  These 
peaceful  guardians  of  gambling-houses  should  not  bo  properly 
classed  among  tho  Sycophants,  as  they  are  generally  useful  ap- 
pendages to  it;  neither  should  tho  blackmailing  class  whom  I 
shall  now  marshal  into  line. 

These  worthies  are  generally  of  the  lower  .rder  of  politicians, 
who  have  sufficient  influence  with  the  police  to  induce  them'^to 
ppare  whatever  house  they  wish  to  protect,  and  to  shut  up  what- 
ever place  has  made  itself  obnoxious  to  them,  by  tho  refusal  of  its 
proprietor  to  submit  to  their  blackmailing.  The  stock  in  trade 
of  the  political  blackmailer  is  either  fawning  or  bullying,  or  both, 
and  he  makes  either  useful,  or  both,  as  the  case  may  be,  whenever 
he  can  find  a  banker  weak-minded  or  timorous  enough  for  him 
to  prey  upon.  His  pay  generally  depends  on  the  liberality  of  his 
dupe,  but  often  on  the  amount  of  terror  with  which  he  can 


WANDERINGS  OF  ▲  VAGABOND'. 

manage  to  Inspire  hiui.  Ho  has  often  recuived  an  interest  of  tea 
per  cent,  in  a  furo-bauli,  for  liia  mere  promiso  to  protect  it  agaiuat 
the  raids  of  the  poiice,  and  aoiuo  liavo  been  luiovvu  to  receive 
tweuty-tlvo  per  cent.  It  is  to  bo  understood  that,  if  the  baulc 
won,  thoir  share  of  the  vviuuiiiKs  luuat  remain  with  the  rest,  until 
tho  stockholders  uiiuie  a  dividend. 

It  would  be  utterly  iun'ossiblo  to  esthuate  tho  number  of 
sycophants  and  blackmailers  who  hang  around  and  feed  upon 
gamblers.  In  some  places  it  is  impossible  to  shake  them  oil", 
while  in  others  they  arc  i)orfectly  independent  of  them.  The 
parasitical  tribe  aro  to  bo  found,  more  or  less,  in  every  place,  and 
will  be,  80  long  as  foolish  gamblers  exist,  who  will  allow  tliem- 
selves  to  be  leeched  by  thorn.  They  help  to  swell  tho  number  of 
those  persons  known  under  the  name  of  gambler.  Tho  last  and 
most  numerous  of  this  tribe  I  shall  place  under  the  head  of 

HAN1ERS-0N. 

This  class  outnumber  all  those  described,  fire  to  one.  They 
hover  around  gambling-houses  of  the  lower  order  in  our  cities, 
lounge  around  hotels,  coflfee-houses,  and  billiard-rooms,  and  seem 
to  have  no  visible  means  of  support.  They  live  by  begging, 
borrowing,  and  stealing  chips  from  the  players  around  the  faro- 
tables.  Whenever  they  can  get  a  stake  they  will  play  It,  or  will 
steal  a  sleeper  from  the  table,  if  they  can  get  away  with  it. 
Many  of  them  are  cappers  and  ropers  for  skiuning-houses,  and 
not  a  few  are  dependent  upon  unfortunate  women  for  support. 
Numbers  of  them  are  clothed  in  the  most  fashionable  stylo,  and 
seem  to  enjoy  life  with  the  wealthiest  in  the  land.  In  our  large 
cities  hangers-on  are  excluded  from  all  the  better  class  gam- 
bling-houses. 


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187 


CHAPTER    XVII, 
SHABPLBS. 

The  brotherhood  is  numerous  and  varied.  But  the  mdividual 
to  whom  we  wish  to  introduce  our  reader  is  the  sharper  who  iives 
under  the  cloaii  of  the  gambler.  To  chance  money  on  an  equal 
hazard  is  not  only  repugnant  to  his  prmciples  and  constitution, 
but  in  du-ect  violation  of  his  conscience.  Aa  he  seldom  possesses 
any  skill  in  playing  short  card  games,  he  does  not  waste  his  time 
nor  risk  his  money  on  such  folhes,  except  when  he  chances  to 
find  a  verdant  adversary  whom  he  can  cheat.  His  stock  in  trade 
is  two-card  boxes  and  gorgeously  furnished  apartments.  The 
bare  thought  of  banking  a  28-numbered  roulette  wheel,  or  a 
chuck-luck  box,  unless  the  former  is  worked  with  a  trigger,  and 
the  latter  in  the  hands  of  a  No.  1  dice-cogger,  makes  )iim  turn 
pale  and  clutch  his  pockets  tighter.  If  one  of  his  tribe  ever 
dealt  a  square  banking  game  of  chance  he  has  deluded  some  un- 
fortunate individual  into  staking  him.  Not  a  farthing  of  his  own 
money  goes  that  way.  He  would  consider  it  nirst  culpably 
wasted.  He  will  sometimes  pi.iy  against  faro,  which  has  often 
impoverished  him;  for  but  a  short  time,  however.  With  his  two- 
card  box  he  reaps  from  the  crop  of  fools  that  spring  Up  yearly, 
which  presently  sets  him  again  on  a  sound  pecuniary  footing,  and 
he  flourishes  like  a  green  bay  tree  until  his  penchant  for  "  figBt- 
ing  the  tiger  "  again  overtakes  him.  But  the  more  sapient  sharper 
knows  the  value  of  his  money,  like  the  persecuted  Jew,  and  is 
better  posted  than  to  lavish  it  against  faro-banks,  or  to  waste  it 
in  luxurious  living,  unless  by  so  doing  he  can  increase  it  a  hun- 
dred fold.  Ability  and  wealth  make  their  distinctions  among 
this  community,  as  among  more  honest  people ;  therefore,  in  erx^ 
deavoring  to  describe  thiem,  I  shall  place  them  in  two  orders, 
the  proprietors  of  first  and  second-class  "  skinning-houses." 

riKST-CLASS     *'SKINNINO-HOX:SES." 

In  our  large  cities  may  be  found  numbers  of  these,  as  weH  as 
at  our  fashionable  watering-places.  They  are  magnificently 
furnished,  as  much  as  $50,000  having  been  expended  in  the  fit- 


188  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

tiuK  UP  Of  some  of  them.    The  walls  and  ceilings  are  artistically 
frefcoed,  while  from  t'-e  latter  depend  costly  c^^^^^^lf '•^; J^l^' 
ed  with  Bohemian  glass  shades.    The  finest  Brussels  and  1  ur- 
key  carpets  cover  the  floors,  and  from  the  costly  cornices  hang 
double  curtains  of  rich  silk  and  lace.     The  furniture  is  of  the 
most  expensive  and  fashionable  style,  conspicuous  among  wh  ch 
is  a  magnificent  side-board,  loaded  with  silver  gob  ets  and  the 
finest  cut-glass,  together  with  the  choicest  wines   liquors  and 
cigars,  for  the  free  use  of  the  guests  of  the  house.   Many  of  them 
are  adorned  with  valuable  pieces  of  bronze  and  marble  statuary, 
representing  horses,  fawns,  nymphs,  etc.,  while  costly  oil  paint- 
ings decorate  the  walls.  .  ,  i„  ^r  fi,- 
The  gaming    paraphernalia  consist    of  a  faro-table  of  the 
finest  design  and  workmanship,  and  a  No.  28  roulette  wheel 
placed  on  another  table,  quite  as  handsome  and  artistic.    The 
checks  and  other  articles  belonging  to  the  games  are  of  the  most 
elaborate  style  possible,  and  a  large  fancy  safe  occupies  a  con- 
spicuous  place,  calculated  to  give  a  solid  and  moneyed  look  to 
the  establishment.     Adjoining  this  apartment  is  the  dining- 
room,  furnished  in  the  same  gorgeous  manner.     The  table  is 
provided  with  heavily  embossed  and  carved  silver  service,  and 
can  seat  comfortably  thirty  or  forty  guests.     Before  them  are 
placed,  in  fine  porcelain  and  Sevres  dishes,  the  choicest  viands, 
comprising  every  delicacy  to  be  obtained,  servedupby  a'  maUre 
de  cuisine"  unsurpassed  in  his  art.     Fruits,  both  in  and  out  of 
season,  gratify  the  eye  and  tempt  the  palate,  and  from  costly 
Bohemian  and  cut-glass  expensive  and  delicious  wines  are  drank. 
No  expense  is  spared  in  furnishing  the  table  with  everything 
which  would  meet  the  approval  of  the  most  fastidious  epicure 
Niehtly  at  eleven  o'clock  these  luxurious  feasts  are  furnished  the 
patrons  of  the  house.    The  expenses  of  these  establishments  de- 
Send  much  upon  their  location,  and  also  range  according  to  their 
order.    For  instance,  to  run  a  first-class  house  such  as  I  have 
described  at  Saratoga,   or  Lon-  Branch,  or  New  York  city, 
would  probably  cost  $2.^,0  per  day  ;  while  so'ue  of  those  of  Balti- 
more, Philadelphia,  or  Boston,  would  not  require  over  $100  per 
day  and  many  are  run  that  do  not  cost  more  than  $.>0  per  day. 
Within  a  few  years  the  proprietors  of  some  of  those  aristocratic 
"  skinning-houses"  have  hired  reporters  to  write  articles  for 
insertion  in  the  newspapers  to  which  they  belonged,  descnbing 


o. 

igs  are  artistically 
handeliers,  adorn- 
Brusscla  and  Tur- 
3tly  cornices  hang 
iirniture  la  of  tlie 
nous  among  which 
er  goblets  and  the 
fines,  liquors,  and 
lae.   Many  of  them 
d  marble  statuary, 
e  costly  oil  paint- 
faro-table  of  the 
28  roulette  wheel, 
and  artistic.    The 
nes  are  of  the  most 
fe  occupies  a  con- 
d  moneyed  look  to 
ent  is  the  dining- 
ler.     The  table  is 
silver  service,  and 
Before  them  are 
le  choicest  viands, 
,redupbya"»iattre 
both  in  and  out  of 
;o,  and  from  costly 
us  wines  are  drank, 
jle  with  everything 
fastidious  epicure. 
;8  are  furnished  the 
establishments  de- 
je  according  to  their 
use  such  as  I  have 
sr  Now  York  city, 
ne  of  those  of  Balti- 
quire  over  $100  per 
e  than  $50  per  day. 
of  those  aristocratic 
0  write  articles  for 
belonged,  describing 


SHARPEBS. 


189 


their  establishments,  setting  forth  their  splendor  and  magnifi- 
cence, and  laudatory  of  tlie  manner  in  which  they  were  kept. 
These  may  be  styled  "  ambiguous  advertising  dodges"  for  the 
purposeof  drawing  strangers  to  their  houses.  I  have  selected  two 
of  these,  which  will  speak  for  themselves,  and  which  will  give  the 
reader  an  idea  of  the  magnificence  and  splendor  of  these  places, 
and  also  of  the  immense  sums  spent  in  decorating  and  fitting  up 
these  palatial  robbing  dens,  and  the  social  standing  of  the  gulls 
who  frequent  and  support  them. 

A  Gorgeous  Gaming  Palace.— Description  of  the  "  Mari/latid 
Gentlemen's  Club  House,"  in  Baltimore. — Scenes  of  Dazzling 
Splendor ! — Dedication  Banquet ! — TheBank  opens  its  career 
by  winning  a  Stake  of  $20,000. 

[Baltimort  (Sept.  12)  Correspondence  of  the  JVeio  Tork  World.] 

The  great  gaming  house  of  Slater,  Kirby  &  Parker,  the  open- 
ing of  which  has  been  looked  forward  to  with  immense  interest 
by  the  sporting  men  of  this  city  and  vicinity,  was  inaugurated 
last  evening  by  a  grand  dinner,  to  which  about  two  bundled 
invitations  were  issued. 

The  building  in  itself  is  an  old  one,  and  has  long  been  used  as 
a  sporting  establishment;  but  the  proprietors  becoming  am- 
bitious, and  the  "gentlemen"  of  Baltimore  complaining  at  the 
want  of  a  first-class  "club  house,"  it  has  undergone  h.  complete 
renovation,  the  floors  in  the  upper  part  of  the  building  l)eing 
raised  four  feet  each,  the  rooms  in  the  second  story  thrown  into 
one,  and  connected  with  a  large  dining-hall  in  the  rear,  through 
folding  doors,  and  the  ground-floor  being  devoted  exclusively  to 
kitchen  and  store-room  purposes.  The  upper  story  is  divided 
into  private  club-rooms,  bed-chambers,  bath-rooms,  and  wine- 
closets.  A  large  cellar  extends  the  length  of  the  building  under- 
ground, and  a  private  entrance  leads  out  into  the  open  lot  on  a 
back  street,  through  which  the  visitors  can  pass  if  deskous  of 
shunning  the  main  entrance. 

BBGAItSLESS     OF     EXFEKSE. 

In  making  these  extensive  preparations,  no  regara  has  been 
paid  to  their  cost,  it  being  the  intention  of  the  proprietors  to 
make  it  the  first  club  house  in  the  country.    The  total  cost,  I  am 


ii  ly 


m9m''9'''>mm'mii^f''^'''^^'i''''^*^^^ff'^'''''^i^ 


190 


WANDEKINQS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


told,  of  fornishing  the  house,  amouuted  to  fifty  thousand  loUara. 
This  does  not  include  various  co8*,ly  works  of  art,  such  as  rare 
paintings  and  statues,  and  the  dinner  service,  for  whi  ih  the  round 
sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  was  paid  to  one  European  firm 

alone. 

Dinner  was  set  for  six  o'clock.  Shortly  before  that  time  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  assembled  in  the  great  saloon  on  the 
second  floor,  where  the  several  games  of  faro,  roulette,  etc.,  are 
played.  Special  care  was  had  in  issuing  invitations,  to  select  those 
only  known  to  be  fearless  votaries  of  this  game  of  chance,  so 
that  by  far  the  greater  number  of  those  present  were  men  of  at 
leaat  ordinary  means,  and  many  of  wealth.    All  were  dressed  in 


FTTLL     DINNER     COSTUME. 

Black  coats  and  pants,  white  vests,  and  white  neck-ties.The  com- 
pany numbered  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  Mary- 
land, members  of  the  State  Legislature,  Judges  of  the  higher 
Courts,  and  a  score  or  so  of  representatives  of  the  city  govern- 
ment, contractors,  etc.  At  6.30  P.  M.  the  dinner  was  announced, 
and  the  guests  took  their  seats  at  the  table.  But  before  discuss- 
ing this  part  of  the  proceedings,  I  will  briefly  touch  upon  the  fur- 
nitiore  and  appointments  of  the  house,  which;  from  personal 
observation,  exceeded  in  splendor  and  completeness  any  of  the 
kind  in  this  country,  or,  in  fact,  in  Europe,  not  even  excepting 
the  famous  estabUshment  of  Baden-Baden.  The  latter,  however, 
is  much  larger. 

A     GORGEOUS     VESTIBULE. 

The  hall  door  which  faces  Calvert  street,  about  half  a  block 
from  Baltimore  street,  the  principal  thoroughfare  in  the  city, 
opens  into  a  small  vestibule,  from  the  ceiling  of  which  hangs  a 
large  bell-shaped  chandelier  lined  with  silver,  and  with  the  jets 
so  arranged,  that  the  light  streams  down  and  outward  in  a  soft 
flood,  revealing  oak-paneled  walls  in  etchings  of  gold,  and  a  lofty 
ceihng  frescoed  with  groups  of  sporting  naiads.  Immediately  be- 
yond, and  dividing  the  hall  into  two  parts,  stands  another  and  a 
more  massive  door  of  solid  walnut.  A  colored  servant  in  evening 
dress  sits  behind  this,  and,  after  inspecting  the  visitor  through  a 
small  oval  glass  on  one  side,  yields  or  refuses  admittance,  accord- 


i  r 


V. 

r  thousand  lollars. 
f  art,  such  as  rare 
or  whiih  the  round 
ine  European  firm 

re  that  time  about 
great  saloon  on  the 
,  roulette,  etc.,  are 
ions,  to  select  those 
arae  of  chance,  so 
)nt  were  men  of  at 
111  were  dressed  in 

neck-ties.The  com- 
bed men  of  Mary- 
Iges  of  the  higher 
of  the  city  govorn- 
ner  was  announced, 
But  before  discuss- 
touch  upon  the  fur- 
ich,"  fi-om  persona) 
ileteness  any  of  the 
not  even  excepting 
rhe  latter,  however, 

I  B  TJ  LB  . 

about  half  a  block 
ghfare  in  the  city, 
g  of  which  hangs  a 
•,  and  with  the  jets 
d  outward  in  a  soft 
of  gold,  and  a  lofty 
Is.  Immediately  be- 
tands  another  and  a 
1  servant  in  evening 
he  visitor  through  a 
admittance,  accord- 


SHAHPEKS. 


191 


tog  as  the  applicant  is  known  to  the  house,  or  gives  evidence  of 
being  a  bona-flde  customer.  This  inner  hall-way  is  larger  than 
the  outer,  and  once  over  its  threshold,  the  visitor  is  at  liberty  to 
explore  the  mysteries  above,  to  which  a  dight  of  steps  winds  slow- 
ly upwards.  The  same  paneled  walls  and  a  similar  chandolior 
mark  this  second  hall,  which  has,  however,  the  addition  of  a 
velvet  carpet,  thick  enough  to  stitlo  the  heaviest  foot-fall.  In  a 
niche  in  the  wall,  and  overlooking  the  stairway,  is  a  statue  of 
Don  CcBsar  do  Bazau,  in  bronze,  about  half  life  size. 

MAGNIFICENT     F  XT  B  N  I  T  U  R  E  . 

The  main  saloon,  to  which  the  hall  stairs  conduct,  occupies  the 
entire  front  of  the  second  story,  and  is  about  sixty  feet  long  and 
thirty  wide.  It  is  gorgeously  fitted  up.  A  seamless  dark  blue 
velvet  carpet,  like  that  in  the  east  room  of  the  White  House, 
covers  the  floor,  over  which  are  scattered  articles  of  furniture  of 
the  most  massive  description.  On  the  right,  as  you  enter,  an 
etagere  of  roso-wood  that  reaches  up  to  the  ceiling;  two  bronze 
statues  of  Richard  Coeur  de  Lion  and  PhillipeAugusterest  on  its 
lower  shelves,  flanking  a  famous  equine  bronze  representing  a 
stallion  teasing  a  mare.  A  mirror  forms  the  backing  of  this  piece 
of  furniture,  which  was  imported  at  a  cost  of  three  thousand,  five 
hundred  dollars.  On  the  left  stands  a  side-board  on  which  are 
ranged  all  sorts  of  decanters  and  glasses,  tlio  former  ^of  cut  glass, 
and  filled  with  various  kinds  of  wines  and  liquors ;  these  are  at 
the  gratuitous  use  of  the  visitors.  All  along  the  room  are  placed 
various  articles  of  furniture,  made  wholly  of  walnut  and  rose- 
wood ;  sofas,  chairs,  foot-stools,  massive  round  tables  for  the  con- 
venience of  short  card  jjarties,  writing-desks,  lounges,  etc.  Two 
mantels  of  Parian  marble,  surmounting  ranges  of  the  most  ap- 
proved and  costly  make,  are  set  in  the  west  wall,  over  which  hang 
two  mirrors  of  French  plate  glass  set  in  walnut  frames,  with-an 
intertwining  of  gold  leaves  and  vine  work.  Other  mirrors  of 
equally  large  dimensions  surround  the  room,  reflecting  the 
smallest  object  it  contains. 

AN     ARTISTIC     CHECK-BOOK. 

The  check-book  for  the  use  of  persons  who,  having  no  ready 
cash,  are  yet  desirous  of  playing,  together  with  other  writing 


1P2 


WANDERINGS  OF  A   VAGABOND. 


luiitcriuls,  is  kept  iu  a  large  book-case  iu  one  corner  of  th(>  saloon. 
This  book-case  is  filled  witb  private  compartments  of  various 
sizes,  in  which  such  articles  as  are  accidentally  left  behind  by 
the  players  are  kept  until  called  for.  It  also  contains  a  number 
of  secret  drawers,  used  to  keep  "  collateral"  hi  until  redeemed. 

BLTTB     AND     GOLD. 

The  walls  of  this  saloon  are  paneled  similarly  to  those  of  the 
entry,  except  that  the  background  is  of  blue,  and  there  is  a  freer 
use  of  gold.  The  contrast  between  this  and  the  frescoes  on  the 
ceilings  is  very  striking  and  effective,  the  artist  having  given 
his  figures  a  joyous  animate  exi)ression,  that  well  accords  with  the 
rich  warn\  color.  The  windows  are  concealed  by  fine  lace  dra- 
pery, backed  by  heavy  damask  curtains,  pendent  from  cornices 
of  rosewood  with  gold  borders.  The  room  is  lit  by  three  chande- 
liers similar  to  those  already  described,  and  a  number  of  jets  in 
small  clusters  here  and  there  on  the  wall. 


THE     G.VMING     TABLES 

are  three  in  number.  At  two  of  those  faro  is  played ;  at  the  other, 
roulette.  The  tables  are  as  largo  as  possible,-  consistent  with 
comfort,  and  their  appointments,  such  as  chips,  dealing-boxes, 
cue-cards,  etc.,  are  of  the  finest  quality.  Immediately  behind 
the  faro-table  hc.ng  two  pictures  of  Rubens,  representing  Sunrise 
and  Sunset  at  Sea.  A  third,  of  a  French  Peasant  Girl,  returning 
home  laden  with  fruits,  is  the  production  of  a  clever  French 
artist  whoso  name  now  escapes  my  memory.  The  dealers,  of 
■whom  there  are  five,  are  men  well  known  m  the  profession. 


MOBE     SPLBNDOB     tTP-STAIBS. 

The  upper  story  comprises  seven  chambers,  three  of  which  are 
used  as  club  rooms.  Appurtenances  for  playing  all  sorts  of  games 
can  be  found  in  them,  and  the  furniture  is  of  the  richest  possible 
description.  Back  of  these  rooms  are  three  bed-chambers  ele- 
gantly furnished.  The  beds  are  importations,  and  cost  five  hun- 
dred dollars  each.  Those  rooms  are  for  the  use  of  players  who 
vi'mh  to  leave  the  city  by  an  early  morning  train,  or  who,  from  too 


^riier  of  the  siiloon. 
:tment8  of  various 
illy  Icfl  behind  by 
contains  a  number 
1  until  redeemed. 


rly  to  those  of  the 
and  there  is  a  freer 
the  frescoes  on  the 
rtist  having  given 
ell  accords  with  the 
d  by  fine  lace  dra- 
dent  from  cornices 
it  by  three  chande- 
a  number  of  jets  in 


E  S 

ilayed ;  at  the  other, 
ble,-  consistent  with 
iips,  dealing-boxes, 
mmediately  behind 
cprcsenting  Sunrise 
saut  Girl,  returning 
of  a  clever  French 
•y.  The  dealers,  of 
the  profession. 

T  AIRS. 

i,  three  of  which  are 
ng  all  sorts  of  gamea 
'  the  richest  possible 
)  bed-chambers  ole* 
s,  and  cost  five  hun- 
B  use  of  players  who 
"ain,  or  who,firomtoo 


\ 


SnARPERS. 


103 


free  libations  of  champagne,  arc  (liaincliucd  to  walk  home.  A 
bath-room,  with  hot  iukI  cold  water,  is  attached  to  each  chamber. 
Tlio  liitchcn  and  store-room  run  tho  whole  length  of  the  ground- 
floor.  The  former  is  larger  than  any  hotel  kitchen  in  tho  city, 
and  has  a  range  able  to  cook  provisions  for  one  hundred  persons 
at  a  time ;  its  cost  was  three  thousand,  five  hundred  dollars.  One 
head  and  three  under  cooks  and  two  scullions  comprise  the  force 
employed  here.  The  wlue-ccUar,  which  is  under  ground,  is  filled 
with  casks  and  butts,  and  long  shelves  on  which  are  deposited 
various  kinds  of  wine,  of  which  each  separate  brand  has  its  own 
compartment.  Twenty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  wines  and 
liquors  are  stored  here  already,  and  a  largo  importation,  I  am 
told,  is  en  route. 

THE     CLIMAX     OF     ENCHANTMENT. 

Of  all  the  various  departments  of  the  house,  however,  it  Is  re- 
served for  the  dining  hall  to  stand  forth  as  the  Alpha  and  Oi.iega 
of  its  many  splendors.  The  entrance  to  it  is  from  the  main  saloon, 
and  it  is  through  folding-doors  of  stained  box-wood,  the  panels 
of  which  are  carved  to  represent  various  scenes  of  the  chase. 
They  move  on  noiseless  wheels  in  grooves  an  inch  and  a  half  deep, 
made  so  on  account  of  the  great  superincumbent  weight.  On 
the  day  of  opening,  after  the  announcement  of  dinner,  these  doora 
were  thrown  wide  open,  and  the  guests,  headed  by  the  proprie- 
tors, were  conducted  to  their  seats  at  the  table,  which  was  in  the 
shape  of  a  capital  T.  A  printed  menu,  according  to  which  sev- 
enteen courses  were  to  be  served,  lay  by  the  side  of  each  plate, 
together  with  a  list  of  wines,  and  the  order  in  which  they  were  to 
follow  each  other. 

▲     RICH     A^n    KARB     TABLE. 

The  table  is  an  immense  affair,  and  is  capable  of  seating  eighty 
persons.  It  is  made  of  black  walnut,  supported  by  heavy  dragon- 
legs  of  the  same  material.  The  chairs  are  also  of  black  walnut, 
with  soft  cushions,  covered  with  green  morocco.  The  appoint- 
ments of  the  table  are  dazzlingly  magnificent.  In  the  centre  rests 
an  enormous  silver  ice-holder,  which  can  be  also  used  as  a  flower- 
stand.  Its  sides  are  of  solid  silrer,  with  an  embossed  net-work 
of  branches  and  fruits  in  virgin  gold ;  the  inside  is  also  of  the 


104 


WANDKIIIXGS  OF  A  VAOABONO. 


I- 


Hiuno  nu>tiil.  Flowers  to  tlio  amouut  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  tilled  it,  rcacbiug  almost  to  the  ceiUug.  Here  and  there, 
over  the  table,  were  smaller  stands,  aUso  niled  with  (lowers,  con- 
nected with  each  cthev  and  tho  ctMitio-piecc  by  links  of  roses,  so 
that  each  guest  saw  his  vis-it- vis  through  a  tlowcry  screen,  as  it 
•were. 

A     DAZZLING     D I N N E R - S E B V  I C K  . 

All  the  glass  used  in  this  establishment  is  cut,  and  of  European 
importation,  and  stamped  with  the  initial  "8."  Tho  glasses 
have  cleverly  executed  portraits  of  prominent  German  politicians 
on  their  sides.  Tho  rest  of  tho  dinner-service  is  of  solid  silver, 
lined  with  gold.  Among  other  things  are  two  silver  i)itchers, 
two  feet  high,  which  were  made  in  Geneva  at  a  cost  of  oue  thou- 
sand dollars  each. 

BRIGHT    AS    StJNLIiJHT. 

The  room  is  lit  brilliantly  by  two  chandeliers  and  various  side 
jets.  The  heat  and  smoke  from  tho  former  pass  through  ap- 
ertures in  the  roof  arranged  on  the  same  principle  as  those 
used  in  the  Hall  of  Representatives  at  Washington.  Tlio  walls 
are  unlike  those  in  the  main  saloon,  being  box-wood  paneled 
with  etchings  of  scarlet  and  silver  to  match  the  doors.  Half  a 
score  of  sporting  prints  in  walnut  frames  are  suspended  about  the 
room.  The  floor  is  laid  with  a  red  velvet  carpet,  so  thick  and 
soft  that  the  foot  falls  noiselessly  upon  it. 

It  would  be  next  to  impossible  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the 
various  courses  served  to  the  150  guests  present  at  the  banquet. 
The  first  caterer  of  Baltimore  had  the  affair  in  charge,  and  as 
that  city  is  famous  for  its  cuisine,  his  efforts  were  of  course  a 
success.  Speeches  were  made  by  prominent  gentlemen,  lauda- 
tory of  the  enterprise  of  the  management  in  enacting  so  fine  a 
club  room,  and  the  establishment  was  unanimously  christened 
the  "Maryland  Gentlemen's  Club  House."  After  dinner  the  play 
ranged  high,  the  bank  beginning  its  career  by  a  run  of  luck,  win- 
ning about  $20,000,  half  c:  which  was  lost  by  a  well-knowa  City 
Hall  contractor. 

The  foregoing  article  first  made  Its  appearance  in  the  New 
York  World,  and  from  thence  found  its  way  into  the  columns  of 
many  of  the  newspapers  throughout  the  country.    It  was  written 


INU. 

0  hundrod  aud  fifty 
g.  liere  and  there, 
il  with  flowers,  con- 
by  links  of  roses,  so 
tlowery  screeu,  as  it 

E  B  V  I  C  K. 

But,  and  of  European 
"8."  The  jjlasses 
t  German  politicians 
ce  la  of  solid  silver, 
two  silver  [litchers, 
,t  a  cost  of  one  thou- 


HT. 

iers  and  various  side 
3r  pass  through  ap- 
3  principle  as  those 
aington.  Tlio  wa]l3 
g  box-wood  paneled 
h  the  doors.  Half  a 
)  suspended  about  the 
carpet,  so  thick  and 

etailed  account  of  the 
ssent  at  the  banquet, 
dr  in  charge,  and  as 
>rt3  were  of  course  a 
at  gentlemen,  lauda- 
in  enacting  so  fine  a 
animously  christened 
After  dinner  the  play 
l)y  a  run  of  luck,  wiu- 
by  a  well-known  City 


pearance  in  the  New 
y  into  the  columns  of 
untry.    It  was  written 


SHARPERS. 


19S 


by  tho  order  of  Slater,  the  principal  proprietor,  whose  inordinato 
pride  could  not  bo  satistied  unless  tho  publicwere  made  acquaint- 
ed with  his  new  gorgeous  establishment.  Besiilea,  it  was  an  ad- 
vertisement to  draw  strangers  visiting  Maltiniore,  on  business  or 
pleasure,  to  his  house.  A  few  words  will  bo  Huilicient  to  inform 
the  reader  of  the  new  founded  institution  christened  at  its  dedi- 
catory banciuet,  tho  "Maryland  Gentlemen's  Club." 

Doc.  Slater,  as  he  is  nicknamed,  was  raised  in  tho  city  of  Balti- 
more, and  brought  up  to  the  butchering  business.     He  brlongod 
to  that  political  cla-ss  which  for  many  years  ruled  Baltimore  with 
pistols,  knives,  bra,ss-knucklos,  and  slung-shots,  known  as  "  Plug 
Uglies,"  among  whom  ho  wivs  a  kind  of  loade-,  up  to  tho  time  of 
their  suppression,  which  was  not  until  tho  commencement  of  tho 
rebellion.    About  this  time  he  discarded  tho  knife  and  steel,  and 
his  stall  in  tho  market,  and  went  to  gambling.    Ho  had  indulged 
in  it  surreptitiously  from  boyhood  up,  and  later  as  an  amateur  ; 
but  never  before  had  ho  come  out  and  taken  his  place  among 
professionals.     With  two  oth^  s  ho  put  up  a  fivro-ganio  in  tho 
same  building  where  the  Maryland  Gentlemen  s  Club  at  present 
exists.    This  bank  played  for  all  persons,  at  an  open  limit  of 
te.S.'),  and  was  almost  exclusively  patronized  by  the  rougher  class. 
Incredible  as  it  may  appear,  with  so  small  a  limit,  the  bank  in 
the  course  of  a  year,  besides  its  expenses,  won  $40,000.    Slater's 
partners,  satisfied  with  their  share,  withdrew  from  the  partnership 
and  sold  their  share  in  the  house  to  Slater.  Ho  now  run  tho  bank 
himself  and  increased  the  limit  to  $25  open.     For  moro  than  a 
year  success  attended  him,  when  ho  closed  his  [house,  renovat- 
ed it,  and  furnished  it  respectably.    He  now  meant  to  entertain 
a  different  class  of  customers,  and  gave  to  his  doorkeeper  orders 
to  admit  no  one  except  those  whom  he  had  invited.    To  these  he 
furnished,  gratuitously,  liquors,  and  plain  but  substantial  three 
o'clock  dinners  and  ten  o'clock  suppers.    Fortune  still  smiled 
on  him ;  his  bank  seldom  lost.    Young  and  inexperienced4n  his 
profession,  never  having  met  with  any  reverses  worthy  the  name, 
he  believed  it  impossible  for  a  faro-bank  to  lose,  and  felt  too 
proud  to  have  it  said  that  ho  put  a  limit  on  his  game.    Ho  invit- 
ed all  gamblers  transiently  in  tho  city  to  come  and  play.    When 
no  other  established  bank  could  be  found  in  the  country  to  take 
higher  thrn  $500  bets  from  a  single  player,  his  bank  turned  for 
wagers  of  $5,000.    He  staked  gambling-houses  in  Washington, 


I 


r 


i4 


190 


WANDKRINOS  OK  A  VAUABONU 


I'liiladelphia,  Annapolis,  and  Capo    May,    bosides   entruBtlnR 
uioni-y  to  dillereat  gamljlors,  and  allowing  them  to  roam  all  over 
tbc  country  with  it,  in  seurch  of  faro-players.     Many  of  thPRo 
wore  unable  to  protect  it,  and  many  made  no  oll'ort  to  do  ho, 
wliilo  othcrH  Hiicnt  it  among  tbeiusolvea  or  played  It  off  ngainst 
various  faro-bank8.     Finally,  fortune,  wLo  had  8o  long  favored, 
deserted  him.    This  hapi)ened  in  18(i8,  and  before  reverws  bad 
overtaken  him  he  was  worth  about  $80,(M)0,  and  had  lived  at  tho 
rate  of  $'iO,0(X)  a  year,  being  an  "  extravagant  cuss."     His  bank 
lost  almost  continually  for  two  years,  and  after  it  had  drained 
from  him  his  last  d«)llar,  he  still  kept  it  going  by  borrowing  from 
his  friends  until  his  debts  exceeded  $20,000.     But  friends  soon 
tired  of  giving  up  their  money  when  it  was  doubtful,  to  say  the 
least,  whether  it  would  not  follow  what  had  preceded  it.     The 
Doc's  circumstances  had  now  gotten  to  their  lowest  ebb.    A  lew 
months  of  his  former  good  luck  would  have  reinstated  him,  for 
the  wealthiest  and  highest  in  tho  land  patronized  his  game.  Rut 
fortune  refused  to  be  propitiated,  and  would  not  smile  again  upon 
him.    She  had  once  distributed  to  him  her  gifts  with  a  lavish 
hand ;  but  he  was  too  dull  to  seize  upon  and  appropriate  them. 
Some  of  the  two-card  sharpers  of  Washington  had  been  for  sev- 
eral yeans  greedily  watching  tho  fat  fish  that  frequented  Slater's 
place,  and  had  on  many  occasions  reminded  him  how   easily 
their  money  might  be  made  to  change  hands  through  tho  agency 
of  a  two-card  box,  instead  of  allowing  them  to  walk  away  with 
his,  through  "  bull-headed  luck."  To  these  overtures  Slater  had 
turned  a  deaf  ear,  until  he  knew  not  where  to  obtain  money  to 
carry  on  his  game.    Tho  Parker,  mentioned  as  one  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Maryland  Gentlemen's  Club  House,  had  made 
about  $200,000  by  keeping  a  skinning-house  in  Washington,  dur- 
ing the  war.    Being  a  moneyed  man.  Slater  courted  his  friend- 
ship.   When  ho  could  no  longer  borrow  money  from  hu  friends 
In  Baltimore  to  sustain  his  bank,  he  applied  to  Parker,  who 
loaned  him  $5,000.  When  that  was  gone  he  again  sought  Parker, 
which  worthy  gentleman  politely  Informed  hlra  he'd  no  more 
money  to  shoot  off  at  "  squar'  farrer,"  but  If  he  wanted  to  fit  up 
a  stunner  of  a  house  and  let  his  man  Klrby  go  Into  It  as  operator, 
he  was  willing  to  throw  up  $100,000  that  way.     Slater  was  in 
desperate  need;  he  hesitated,  and  then  yielded,  and  we  are  in- 
debted to  the  reporter  for  his  description  of  the  place,  and  the 


IX 

)U8ide8  entruBtlnff 
n  to  roam  all  over 
i.     Many  of  thcHo 

0  oHbrt  to  do  ho, 
[lyed  It  off  nRiiinst 
id  80  lonn  lavoivd, 
Bforo  rovcrws  liiid 
iid  had  lived  at  tlio 
t  CUS8."  Ilia  l)ank 
:er  it  had  drained 
by  borrowing  IVom 

But  friends  soon 
oubtful,  to  say  the 
preceded  it.  Tho 
lowest  obi).  A  lew 
reinstated  bini,  for 
ized  his  name.  But 
)t  smile  again  upon 
lifts  with  a  lavish 
appropriate  them. 

1  bad  been  for  sov- 
frcquented  Slater's 
id  him  bow  easily 
through  tbo  agency 
to  walk  away  with 
iverturcs  Slater  bad 
o  obtain  money  to 

as  one  of  tho  pro- 
)  House,  had  made 
n  Washington,  dur- 
courted  his  friend - 
jy  from  hu  friends 
ed  to  Parker,  who 
gain  sought  Parker, 

him  he'd  no  more 
he  wanted  to  fit  up 
■)  into  it  as  operator, 
ray.  Slater  was  in 
ied,  and  we  are  in- 

the  place,  and  the 


8CKNES  AT  LONa   BRANCB. 


1^ 


dedicatory  dinner  given  by  Messrs.  Slater,  Klrby  6c  Parker. 
"After  dinner  the  play  ran  high,  tho  bank  beginning  its  career 
by  winning  a  stake  of  *si(),(K)0,  half  of  which  wua  lost  by  a  prom- 
inent City  Ilall  contractor." 


CHAPTER    XVIII 
SCEKE8  AT  LONG  DRAKCH. 

Some   Social  Contrasts   There— Johnny    Chamberlain  and  hi$ 
Establishment  at  Long  Branch. 

chamberlain's     OAMINO-nOUSB. 

[From  the  Chicago  Tribune,  July  89, 18T0.1 

Sitting  one  night  on  tho  wide,  cheerful  verandah  of  the  Wert 
End,  looking  out  upon  Fisk's  slx-in-hand  going  by,  I  saw  that 
worthy  address  a  square-set,  black-haired,  black-eyed  man, 
riding  by  in  a  trotting  wagon. 

"  That's  Johnny  Chamberlain,"  said  a  gentleman,  "  that  fleshy 
one.  Do  you  see  how  he  holds  his  buttoned  coat -collar  close  up 
to  his  throat  with  his  hand ;  he's  got  a  mighty  ^ad  cough,  has 
Johnny,  and  if  ho  don't  watch  sharp,  they'll  plant  him  next  spring 
whore  he  won't  grow  any  more." 

"  That's  tho  great  gambler,  ia  It  t  He's  young  looking,  and 
not  ill  looking." 

Oh,  he's  as  good  a  fellow  aa  over  you  see.  He's  full  of  enter- 
prise. Morrissey  is  a  parvenue  to  Johnny  Chamberlain.  He's 
put  $U0,000  into  that  club  house,  and  he  has  got  up,  all  of  his 
own  idea,  tlio  notion  of  a  racing  park  here;  and  that  majj  has 
put  $150,(K)0  of  his  own  money  into  that  park  before  ho  asked 
any  one  to  help  him  a  cent's  worth.  Then  ho  raised  $100,000 
just  by  asking  ono  or  two  of  us.  He's  a  young  man.  lie's  got  a 
wonderful  memory.  He's  never  been  married,  but  he's  a 
business  man  right  through.  It's  just  up  and  up  with  Johnny 
Chamberlain,  square  and  sc  ire.  Ho  never  asks  nobody  to  play 
cards  nor  buy  a  chip.    Ho  never  looks  for  it,  ho  scorns  it." 

"  It  seems  rather  strange  that^  man  can  have  all  the  business 


198 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


virtues,  when  his  occupation  is  to  stimulate  the  propensity  of 
u^en  to  Tilay  and  ruin  themselves  in  a  night,  out  of  a  year's 
labor." 

Just  at  this  time  the  man  referred  to  in  the  talk,  appeared 
upon  the  piazza,  and  stood  for  some  time  leaning  against  the 
jamb  of  the  main  door,  (luietly  peering  down  the  porch  amongst 
the  men.    The  proprietors  and  several  other  people  went  up  to 
him.    He  had  a  short  cough  now  and  iucu,  which  caused  in- 
quiries into  his  health  and  copious  advice.    Ho  seemed  to  be  a 
petty  man  among  the  average  of  manhood  congregated  ihere, 
in  the  deepening  evening  of  the  seaside.    It  was  a  beautiful 
night  up  in  the  sky,  and  the  stars  were  out,  and  the  far-ofl'  sails 
were  clearly  seen  riding  under  the  moon.    All  the  senses  of  men 
were  acute,  and  their  cigars  smoked  like  the  blessings  of  provi- 
dence, lulling  such  sharpened  intellects.    We  all  talked  of  the 
lives  of  gamblers,  and  it  was  easy,  in  that  atmosphere,  to  see 
reasons  for  wickedness,  and  trace  commercial  laws  out  of  the  ebb 
and  flow  of  ineradicable  sins.    This  gambler  grew  to  bo  a  mer- 
chant, that  supplied  a  want  implanted  in  man.   His  success,  and 
the  usas  ho  put  it  to,  dignified  the  investment.     The  mind 
rambled  il'ogically  around  the  superflces  of  history,  and  dis- 
covered, without  effort,  that'ie  was  no  worse  than  this  politician, 
or  that  soldier,  or  yonder  speculator.    We  grew  upon  wonder- 
fully apologetic  terms  towards  everybody  in  that  enlivening 
atmosphere,  and  every  conviction  slipped  away  as  if  it  were  an 
unfounded  prejudice  now  for  the  first  time  exposed  and  discarded. 
Such  are  the  heights,  such  the  atmosphere  when  we  forswear 
our  vows,  and  take  merit  upon  ourselves,  at  the  moment,  for  so 
doing. 

"  Come  over  to  the  club  house,  and  I'll  introduce  you,"  said 
my  friend,  the  editor.    "  I  know  him  right  well." 

The  club  house  was  now  all  full  of  light,  half  emitted  from  its 
carefully-closed  window-sashes,  but  streaming  ruddily  and  wel- 
coming fronj  the  open  door.  Two  gaudy  lamps  on  the  gate-posts 
blazed  red  and  white. 

"I  never  played  faro  or  bet  a  dollar  in  my  life." 

"  If  ho  sees  you  betting  anything  there,  he'll  put  you  out.  He 
never  allows  us  to  play.    There  will  be  no  hints  of  any  kind." 

"Come  on !    It's  part  of  experience." 

Suppose  I  had  been  a  man  with  a  pocket  full  of  money,  what 
might iiVe  that  experience  cost  me! 


\ 


^^^-,^.;j*..AS*^ 


^.a^HA^-r.')i>5*i3t^'  *•,-.'-■ 


J 


>ND. 

;e  the  propensity  of 
;ht,  out  of  a  year's 

the  talk,  appeared 
leaning  against  the 
1  the  porch  amongst 
r  people  went  ap  to 
1,  which  caused  in- 
He  seemed  to  be  a 
congregated  ihcre, 
It  was  a  beautiful 
and  the  far-ofl'  sails 
ill  the  senses  of  men 
e  blessings  of  provi- 
We  all  talked  of  the 
;  atmosphere,  to  see 
il  laws  out  of  the  ebb 
sr  grew  to  be  a  mer- 
m.   His  success,  and 
istment.     The  mind 
of  history,  and  dis- 
!  than  this  politician, 
I  grew  upon  wouder- 
7  in  that  enlivenitig 
[iway  as  if  it  were  an 
posed  and  discarded. 
•0  when  we  forswear 
i  the  moment,  for  so 

introduce  you,"  said 

well." 

half  emitted  from  its 

ing  ruddily  andwel- 

mps  on  the  gate-posts 

ly  life." 

le'U  put  you  out.    He 

0  hints  of  any  kind." 

;  full  of  money,  what 


SCENES   AT  T.OXG  BRANCH. 


199 


"  These  gate  lamps,"  said  my  conductor,  "  were  presents  from 
Bill  Tiveed,  of  New  York.  T-veed  is  the  Grand  Sachem  of  Tam- 
many Hall.  The  cottage, of  itself  cost  sixty  thousand  dollars, 
and  Chamberlain  claims  that  the  whole  affair  cost  him  $90,000." 
We  had  now  passed  through  a  wide-open  gate,  always  closed 
by  day,  into  a  very  large  level  lawn,  inclosing  perhaps  fifty  acres, 
the  only  buildings  whereon  were  the  club  house,  an  ice-house 
just  beneath  it,  and  a  stable  two  rods  further  away ;  both  ice- 
house and  stable  were  roofed  with  variegated  slate  and  hand- 
somely capped  with  golden  vanes  and  rods. 

The  club  house  itself  was  of  a  pale  yellow  color  frame,  and 
three  stories  high ;  the  upper  story  in  a  tipped  Mansard  roof  of 
beautiful  inlaid  slate,  and  the  whole  was  tipped  with  a  gilded 
balustrade  of  peculiar  iron  work.  A  piazza  surrounded  the  first 
story  of  the  house,  of  a  light  and  beautiful  construction— green 
trellis-work  below,  the  columns  painted  red,  with  gilt  Corinthian 
capitals,  and  the  balustrade  above  was  also  yellow  and  gilt. 
There  was  but  one  entrance,  and  that  a  grand  one,  with  a  drive 
meandering  up  to  it.  ,The  whole  edifice  was  a  gem  of  carpentry, 
standing  high  and  gracefully,  and  I  guessed  its  proportions  to 
be  eighty  feet  square.  It  is  the  noblest  cottage  on  Long  Branch, 
and  but  one  or  two  pretend  to  cope  with  it. 

As  the  sound  of  our  feet  rang  on  the  steps,  three  or  four  per- 
sons appeared,  well  dressed,  and  I  thought  one  of  them,  a  negro, 
wore  white  gloves.  There  were  plausible  invitations  all  around 
of  "  Good  evening,  gentlemen.    Walk  in,  gentlemen." 

Wo  passed  into  an  elegant  house,  rather  extravagantly  be- 
decked with  mirrors,  and  yet  upholstered  in  places  with  as  much 
taste  as  cost.  Copious  supplies  of  gas  filled  the  many  softly 
enameled  globes  of  the  chandeliers,  and  these  lights  were  repro- 
duced iu  the  mirrors  ;  while  yet  the  rich  carpets  were  of  subdued 
patterns,  and  the  wall  paper  would  have  done  credit  to  an  edu- 
cated lady's  eye.  The  furniture  was  as  unique  and  solid  jfe  the 
workmanship  of  the  day  can  afford.  The  time  has  gone  by 
when  we  can  describe  a  master  gambler  by  his  gaudy  surround- 
ings. The  arts  find  no  better  patrons  in  our  time  than  successful 
gaml/lers.  The  tenderest,  neatest  palaces  they  build,  and  are  at 
Hamburg,  Saratoga,  Baden-Baden,  and  Long  Branch.  Splits 
and  trumps  arc  sovereigns. 
I  am  going  to  tell  what  I  thought  about  this  place  at  the  mo- 


soo 


■WANDERINGS  OF  ..  VAGABOND. 


ment,  and  not  draw  morals  in  advance.  Being  in  a  man's  own 
house,  aud  being  welcomed,  I  could  do  ni>  worse  than  oe  polite, 
and  I  loolied  about  lue  with  something,  perhaps,  of  Aladdin's 
sensation,  when  ho  first  struck  his  lamp  and  saw  .,he  illuminated 
caverns  of  the  genii.  It  was  sumptuous,  and  by  its  elegance  in- 
spired respect.  Room  opened  into  room,  so  that  there  were  three 
or  four  apartments  into  one,  all  brilliantly  lighted,  and  nothing 
offended  the  eye  except  the  instruments  that  had  reared  this 
structure  and  furnished  it — the  green  tables.  Behind  a  plain  tiable 
in  the  first  room  sat  a  man,  and  at  his  left  elbow  were  piled  up 
round  ivory  checks,  red  and  white.  In  the  second  room  a  long 
handsome  piece  of  furniture,  with  carved  legs,  reached  along 
the  wide  side  of  the  wall,  a  man  behind  it,  and  in  the  middle 
of  the  table  a  brass  wheel  was  sunken  into  the  baize,  and 
around  the  brass  were  numbers  and  colors  in  circles,  and  on 
the  verge  of  the  table  were  various  other  plots,  patterns,  handles, 
and  so  forth,  betokening  different  means  of  wagering  money. 

Opposite  this  infernal  machine  was  a  third  table  and  a  man 
behind  it,  and  the  engraved  copy  of  a  whole  pack  of  cards  was 
enameled  into  the  table,  while  at  the  man's  elbow  were  piles  of 
ivory  checks.  This  I  knew  to  be  the  faro-bank,  and  a  silver  box 
was  standing  upon  it,  the  dealing-box.  All  the  men  were  neatly 
dressed,  and  they  all  said, 

"Good  evening,  gentlemen." 

"Where  is  John?"  said  the  sditor. 

"He  was  here  just  now.  Perhaps  he  has  gone  over  to  the 
hotel.    Will  you  walk  in  and  talce  some  supper  ?" 

As  we  paused,  irresolutely,  there  were  cries  of  "Here  is  Mr. 
Chamberlain ;  here  he  is ! " 

The  man  I  had  seen  at  the  hotel  walked  in  and  addressed  my 
friend  in  a  hearty  way,  and  at  once  led  .le  way  to  the  supper- 
room. 

"Take  seats,"  he  said;  "hero  is  about  everything— frogs, 
woodcock,  quails,  robins,  trout,  sofi-shell  crabs,  and  terrapins. 
William,  some  wine." 

A  black  man,  of  deferential  mam  -^rs,  gave  me  a  plate  of  frogs 
and  robins,  and  filled  a  glr  "s  with  such  wine  that  all  previous 
vintages  of  my  acciuaiutance  seemed  iL.ere  cidor  to  it.  The  tible 
was  epicurean  in  every  part,  and  ai  t'jo  head  of  it,  next  to  the 
host,  was  a  beefsteak  which  seemed  to  do  a  tenderloin  cut  from 
a  megatherium,  so  largo  and  juicy  was  it. 


C.  ^ 


jBii^iftiJmNpyaJ^'i*jfi- 


»ND. 

3ing  in  a  man's  own 
orse  than  De  polite, 
5:baps,  of  Aladdin's 
saw  ..lie  illuminated 
[  by  its  elegance  in- 
hat  there  were  three 
lighted,  and  nothing 
lat  had  reared  this 
Behind  a  plain  t<able 
elbow  were  i)iled  up 
second  room  a  long 
legs,  reached  along 
,  and  in  the  middle 
into  the  baize,  and 
i  in  circles,  and  on 
s,  patterns,  handles, 
wagering  money, 
rd  table  and  a  man 
B  pack  of  cards  was 
i  elbow  were  piles  of 
nk,  and  a  silver  box 
the  meu  were  neatly 


IS  gone  over  to  the 

icr?" 

Lea  of  "Here  is  Mr. 

n  and  addressed  my 
>  way  to  the  suppcr- 

t  everything — frogs, 
crabs,  and  terrapins. 

'e  me  a  plate  of  frogs 
'ine  that  all  previous 
idortoit.  Thetible 
3ad  of  it,  next  to  the 
;i  tenderloin  cut  from 


(SCENES  AT  LONG  BRANCH. 


201 


"Do  you  fet  such  a  table  every  night,  John?" 

".Ml  dfiy  and  all  night;  I  like  to  see  my  friends  eat.  My  cook 
is  the  best  that  money  can  hire." 

A  tall,  'Jiild-headed,  aflable  man,  also  a  gamester,  belonging  to 
the  place,  drew  up  to  the  table,  and  took  a  piece  of  woodcock. 
Ho  said  that  all  Morrissey's  furniture  at  Saratoga  was  made  in 
Grand  street.  New  York,  while  John  bought  every  article  he  pos- 
sessed in  Paris.  The  John  named  last  here  turned  to  me  and 
said  he  would  bo  happy  to  drive  mc  out  to  the  track  any  morn- 
ing I  wanted  to  go. 

Chamberlain  was  a  good-looking  man  under  forty  years  of 
age,  with  the  blackest  eye  one  can  see  i!  a  man's  head,  large, 
piercing,  and  animal-like,  and  at  once  beautiful  and  dangerous. 
His  forehead  was  good,  and  with  large  developments  over  the 
eyebrows,  so  strong  that  I  was  not  mistaken  to  see  some  in- 
stances of  a  wonderful  memory,  so  necessary  to  a  gamester.  The 
lower  part  of  his  face  and  nose  were  coarser,  and  his  moustache 
•appear."  d  to  bo  dyed,  while  his  hair  was  glossy  black  as  the 
crow's  wing.  He  had  a  laughing  manner,  a  good  smile,  and  in 
his  features  the  gentleman  and  the  outlaw  were  blended. 
His  shoulders  were  broad  and  square,  and  his  frame  waa  over- 
powerful,  am  he  stood  upon  his  feet  in  that  posture  approach- 
ing bow-leggedness,  which  is  natural  in  the  sporting  man  and 
the  sparrer.  Withal,  'ae  looked  his  part,  a  man  of  wild  in- 
stincts strick(<n  with  a  commercial  ambition,  and  erecting  his 
vices  into  a  business  interest :  a  young  man,  still  unmarried,  but 
consoling  himself  with  the  temporary  possession  of  one  of  the 
most  voluptuous  actresses  in  America ;  dearly  paid  for,  and  fickle 
as  docar,  his  very  prosperity  waa  pitiful ;  never  to  know  the  truth 
and  consolation  of  home,  to  be  an  askant  study  for  his  guests, 
and  to  be  always  considered  at  his  worst ;  to  feel,  perhaps,  that 
his  winnings  could  bring  him  no  blessings ;  to  look  around,  up- 
on the  teeming,  struggling  world,  and  know  that  in  considering 
their  species,  they  never  include  him ;  to  catch  their  eye  as  he 
rode  by,  and  feel  that  the  words  they  felt  were,  "bloody  gam- 
bler." Then,  that  occasional  cough,  which  seemed  to  hurt  him, 
and  I  noticed,  with  sympathy,  that  the  negro  always  got  behind 
him  solicitously,  when  he  coughed  so,  and  looked  down  upon 
Chamberlain  like  his  own  prodigal  son  and  master. 

After  eating,  we  talked  a  few  mmutes,  and  Chamberlain 


mi 


"WAHDEMNGS  OF  A  VAGABOOTJ. 


described  the  house.  There  was  his  ftiniod  side-board,  made  en- 
tirely of  inlaid  wood,  costing  $1,20().  The  upholstery  of  his  tall- 
backed  chairs  was  praised,  and  the  lateness  of  the  season  advert- 
ed to.  As  wo  passed  through  tho  main  gambling  saloon,  an 
appearance  of  wild  delight  was  manifested  by  every  one  of  the 
three  employes;  the  roulette  man  spun  his  ball  as  if  ho  was 
playing  witli  a  ghost  that  "bucked"  opposite;  the  faro  man 
drew  off  tho  top  card  and  gravely  "coppered"  the  ace  all  by 
hhnself ;  tlie  third  man  spun  a  round  check  at  something  invisi- 
ble, and  looked  alive  to  business.  If  these  were  temptations  to 
play,  I  put  them  by,  saying:  "It  would  take  a  man  as  dumb  as 
myself  two  years  to  understand  these  things."  "  Take  my  ad- 
vice," said  Chamberlain,  "and  never  learn;  I  am  too  old  to  for- 
get them." 

We  took  an  omnibus  at  the  door,  and  the  host,  calling,  "Pete, 
come  with  me,"  jumped  in  with  us,  saying  he  had  a  visit  to  make 
down  tho  beach  drive. 

"Master  Johnny,  is  you  going  off  in  de  night  air,  widout 
yo'  ovacoati" 

He  put  it  over  the  gamester's  shoulders,  as  if  he  were  hia 
fragile  and  best  beloved  daughter.  What  would  American  life 
be  without  the  negro's  loyalty  t      A    . ' 

Gentle  reader,  if  you  have  learned  anything  regarding  the 
magnificence  and  gorgeous  fitting  up  of  our  aristocratic  skin- 
ning-houses,  and  the  sumptuous  manner  in  which  they  entertain 
their  gaosts,  from  the  foregoing  description  of  Johnny  Chamber- 
lain and  hia  fashionable  "Maison  de  Jeu,"  at  Long  Branch, 
given  us  by  that  ethical  blathenskite  of  a  reporter,  I  am  satisfied 
for  the  present.  For  the  insertion  of  that  article  in  the  "  Chi- 
cago Tim-js,"  and  its  subsequent  transplanting  to  the  "  St.  Louis 
Democrat,"  Johnny  disbursed  at  least  the  round  sum  of  $150,  if 
not  $200. 

His  description  of  the  personnel  of  Johnny  Chamberlain  is  very 
good,  as  ia  also  that  of  his  club  house  at  Long  Branch.  The 
statement  that  ho  ia  immarried  is  incorrect.  He  is  married, 
and  also  indulges  in  the  aforementioned  voluptuous  looking  mis- 
tress. That  dangerous  cough,  which  so  deeply  aroused  the 
sympathies  of  our  blatherskite  reporter,  is  all  a  humbug;  Cham- 
berlain has  the  constitution  of  an  ox,  and,  I  will  venture  to  say. 


^i0:^^iK^ijw'j^:iii^m^^yms^!-'i^  5?^^Ra^A'->''~i>» 


OOTJ. 

iide-board,  made  en- 
ipholstery  of  his  tall- 
of  the  scasou  advert- 
[janibling  saloon,  an 
I  by  every  one  of  the 
lis  ball  as  if  he  was 
osite;  the  faro  man 
3red"  the  ace  all  by 
;  at  something  invisi- 
were  temptations  to 
le  a  man  as  dumb  as 
gs."  "  Take  my  ad- 
;  I  am  too  old  to  for- 

)  host,  culling,  "Pete, 
le  had  a  visit  to  make 

:le  night  air,  widout 

rs,  as  if  he  were  his 
would  American  hfe 


p^thing  regarding  the 
our  aristocratic  skin- 
which  they  entertain 
I  of  Johnny  Chamber- 
u,"  at  Long  Branch, 
c  porter,  I  am  satisfied 
,  article  in  the  "  Chi- 
Aug  to  the  "  St.  Louis 
round  sum  of  $150,  if 

ly  Chamberlain  is  very 
,  Long  Branch.  The 
rect.  He  is  married, 
)luptuous  looking  mis- 
)  deeply  aroused  the 
all  a  humbug;  Cham- 
I  will  venture  to  say, 


T 


SCENES  AT  tONG  BRANCH. 


203 


has  not  the  remotest  idea  that  any  one  will  plant  him  for  many 
years  to  come.  After  a  hard  night's  debauch,  many  men  are 
troubled  with  a  cough,  and  such,  no  doubt,  was  the  origin  of  the 
one  with  which  Johnny  was  troubled  when  our  veracious  in- 
formant pretends  he  first  made  his  acquaintance — that  learned 
pundit,  who  informs  us  thn  "splits  and  trumps"  are  sovereigns. 

"But  who  is  Johnny  (.^lamberlain ? "  mcthinks  I  hear  the 
uninitiated  reader  inquire.  "What  is  therea.son  of  his  wonderful 
success  in  his  profession?" 

Gentle  reader!  it  is  to  his  indomitable  energy,  brazen  impu- 
dence, and  a  two-card  faro-box.    His  first  appearance  in  public 
life  was  made  as  bar-tender  on  one  of  the  numerous  steamboats 
running  from  the  port  of  St.  Louis.    While  in  this  capacity,  he 
learned  the  rudiments  of  short  card  sharping  from  those  thieves, 
some  of  whom  never  failed  to  travel  on  every  river  steamer, 
and  made  himself  useful  to  them  in  their  search  for  suckers. 
Ho  assisted  them  in  making  up  their  games  from  among  the 
passengers,  and  then  rung  in  their  marked  cards  for  them, 
keeping  them  in  his  bar  until  wanted  for  use.    As  he  became 
farther  advanced,  he  insisted  on  an  equal  share  of  the  spoils, 
and  exacted  the  same  from  all  three-card-monte  throwers  who 
came  aboard  his  boat  to  ply  their  calling.    He  followed  up  this 
business  successfully  for  throe  or  four  years,  and,  being  thrifty, 
accumulated  a  considerable  capital,  and  in  the  meantime  ob- 
tained an  insight  into  the  immense  profits  to  bp  derived  from 
roping  suckers  to  brace  games.    Being  gifted  with  a  happy  fac- 
ulty of  commending  himself  to  strangers,  and  a  willingness  to 
spend  his  money  freely  whenever  he  thought  he  could  make 
t-en  dollars  for  one  by  po  doing,  and  being  well  acquainted  with 
all  the  haunts  of  pleasure  and  vice  in  the  City  of  St.  Louis,  he 
made  a  capital  "roper-in"  for  a  two-card  box  establishment.  In 
his  mind's  eye,  he  marked  out  each  passenger  on  the  boat,  dur- 
ing her  trip  to  St.  Louis,  whom  he  thought  likely  to  proye  a 
profitable  subject  to  him,  and,  after  showing  hin  the  "sights" 
of  the  city,  would  bring  him  up  standing  before  a  "brace  game," 
have  him  robbed,  and  afterwards  receive  half  the  plunder. 

Johnny  Chamberlain  shortly  became  known  amongst  sharpers, 
as  the  best  "  roper-in"  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  and,  in  fact,  the 
best  in  all  the  West.  Partly  through  the  inducements  of  these, 
but  probably  much  more  through  his  own  knowledge  of  the 


r  i^/j^  -ii  **»!  - 


mffm 


J 


f^ 


204 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


1  -h 

i 


(■■I 


I 

ill 


profits  and  advantages  of  a  skinning-house,  be  threw  up  steam- 
boating,  and  opened  one  of  these  establishnieuts  for  huuself.     He 
was  obliged  to  taiie  with  him  an  operator,  because  he  was  totally 
unable  to  exercise  a  two-card  box  himself;  nor  do  I  believe  he 
can  cheat  at  any  of  the  games  played  for  money.    Even  could  he 
do  80,  his  functions  were  on  the  outside,  to  lure  customers  into 
his  den.    This  business  he  diligently  followed  up,  until  the  spring 
of  1864,  having  increased  his  store  of  wealth  thereby,  up  to  forty 
thousand  dollars,  and  by  his  audacity  and  energy  as  a  roper, 
gained  the  envy  of  all  the  sharpers  throughout  the  West.    Mean- 
while, however,  he  had  become  pretty  well  played  out  in  St. 
Louis;  so  much  so,  in  fact,  that  any  "  brace  dealer,"  having  any 
respect  for  his  future  bread  and  butter,  would  not  be  seen  with 
him  in  public.    Johnny  waa  now  desirous  of  taking  the  money  he 
had  accumulated  with  him  to  New  York,  and  there  opening  an 
aristocratic  skinning-house.     Heretofore,  he   had  mixed  only 
among  second-class  sharpers ;  he  was  now  anxious  to  be  ranked 
in  the  first  division  of  that  honorable  fraternity,  and  more  es- 
pecially among  those  of  New  York  city,  where  a  wider  field  was 
open  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents,  and  a  higher  goal  within 
reach  of  his  unbounded  ambition.    To  accomplish  his  desire,  it 
was  necessary  to  have  the  countenance  of  some  first-class  sharper. 
It  must  be  understood  that  not  even  the  Brahmins  themselves, 
nor  those  of  England's  aristocracy  who  claim  their  descent  from 
the  heroes  of  the  field  of  Hastings,  are  greater  sticklers  for  caste, 
than  the  American  sharper.    Powerful  as  is  money — and  its  in- 
fluence is  not  less  among  this  than  other  classes  of  mankind — 
it  has  in  many  cases  failed  in  launching  the  keeper  of  a 
second-class  skinning-house  within  that  magic  cordon  which 
separates  them  from  those  of  their  tribe  who  have  never  been 
interested  in  any  but  a  first-cla^s  house  of  the  sort.    Johnny 
found  the  individual  he  was  seeking,  in  the  person  of  a  worthy 
gentleman  from  the  bine-grass  country  in  Kentucl-.y,  who,  for 
many  years  previous  to  the  rebellion,  was  principal  proprietor  of 
one  of  the  most  fashionable  of  these  places  in  the  city  of  New 
Orleans.    When  Gen.  Butler  was  placed  in  command,  after  the 
capture  of  the  city  by  the  Federal  forces,  he  allowed  no  card- 
sharping  within  bis  dominions,  in  consequence  of  which,  the  aris- 
tocratic skinning-house  at  No.  4  Carondolet  street,  belonging  to 
Mr.  McGrath,was  closed.    When  Gen.  Butler  was  superseded  in 


OND. 

be  threw  up  steam- 
jiits  for  himself.    He 
;cau8o  he  was  totally 
nor  do  I  believe  he 
ney.    Even  could  he 
lure  customers  into 
i  up,  until  the  spring 
thereby,  up  to  forty 
i  energy  as  a  roper, 
ut  the  West.    Mean- 
11  played  out  in  St. 
)  dealer,"  having  any 
aid  not  be  seen  with 
taking  the  money  he 
nd  there  opening  an 
lie   had  mixed  only 
inxious  to  be  ranked 
amity,  and  more  es- 
Bre  a  wider  field  was 
I  higher  goal  within 
)mplish  his  desire,  it 
ne  first-class  sharper. 
Irahmins  themselves, 
m  their  descent  from 
;er  sticklers  for  caste, 
8  money — and  its  in- 
;lasses  of  mankind — 
ng  the  keeper  of  a 
magic  cordon  which 
fho  have  never  been 
)f  the  sort.    Johnny 
D  person  of  a  worthy 
I  Kentucl-.y,  who,  for 
irincipal  proprietor  of 
s  in  the  city  of  New 
1  command,  after  the 
he  allowed  no  card- 
ice  of  which,  the  aris- 
it  street,  belonging  to 
ler  was  superseded  in 


SCENES  AT  LONG  BRAlfCH. 


205 


command  of  the  city,  Mr.  McGrath  left  his  home  in  the  blue- 
grass  country,  and  went  again  to  New  Orleans,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  again  opening  his  house  there;  but  his  first  attempt  at 
doing  so  caused  his  arrest  and  incarceration  in  the  parish  prison, 
where  he  was  kept  for  more  than  a  year  by  the  Federal  authori- 
ties. On  regaining  his  liberty,  he  made  the  best  of  his  way  to  St. 
Louif ,  where  he  arrived  without  a  dollar.  Being  one  of  the  best 
ropers  in  the  country,  and  a  man  of  distinguished  parts  in  a 
fashionable  skinniug-house,  which  means  that  ho  could  black- 
guard his  victims  into  playing  whether  they  wished  to  or  not, 
besides  being  acquainted  with  many  of  the  Border  States  men, 
who  had  flocked  to  New  York  to  speculate  in  gold  and  stocks, 
McGrath  was  the  "open  sesame"  that  Johnny  Chamberlain  re- 
quired. Together  they  started  for  New  York,  where  they  arrived 
in  the  winter  of  1864.  They  soon  discovered  that,  to  obtain  a 
desirable  house  in  a  suitable  locat'on,  and  fit  it  up,  and  furnish  it 
in  a  manner  fit  to  enable  them  to  hold  their  own  among  first- 
class  establishments  of  the  sort,  would  require  more  money  than 
Chamberlain  could  command.  McGrath  now  induced  two  of  the 
wealthiest  sharpers  in  New  York  to  enter  into  partnership  with 
them.  They  bought  a  splendid  residence  near  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel,  and  fitted  it  up  in  so  gorgeous  and  magnificent  a  style, 
that  its  equal  had  never  been  seen  in  the  city,  and  I  doubt  if  in 
any  other.  It  is  said  that  ihe  furnishing  and  fitting  up  alone 
cost  over  sixty  thousand  doll  lu.  It  is  reported  t;hat,  within  four 
months  after  the  opening  of  the  house,  it  made  within  the  neigh- 
borhood of  a  million  of  dollars,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
such  was  the  case.  Among  its  patrons  were  wealthy  contractors, 
high  city  ofiQcials,  stock-brokers,  and  other  speculators,  many  ol 
whom  were  making  their  thousands  pe  day  in  the  exciting 
period  of  speculation,  and  some  of  ^them  at  a  single  sitting  drop- 
ped against  the  two-card  boxes  of  Chamberlain  &  Co.  as  high 
as  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  firm  did  not  get  along  harmoniously  together,  and  a  dis- 
solution took  pla«e.  McGrath  and  Chamberlain  withdrew  from 
it  and  the  former  returned  to  the  blue-grass  country  in  Kentucky, 
where  he  invested  his  money  in  a  large  stock  farm.  Johnny  now 
opened  an  establishment  on  his  own  hook,  fitting  it  up  in  the 
most  extravagant  style.  This  place,  for  which  he  paid  an  annual 
rent  of  f  8,000,  waa  located  on  Twenty-fourth  Street,  near  Broad-. 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

way,  ono  of  the  most  fashlonablo  localities  in  the  citv.     The 
monthly  expenses  of  running  this  establishment  averaged  $4,000. 
On  every  night,  except  Sunday,  a  table  might  be  found  there, 
which,  for  the  rarity,  diversity,  and  choiccness  of  its  viands, 
wines,  and  liquors,  the  elegance  of  its  appearance,  and  the 
excellence  of  its  cuisine,  could  not  be  surpassed  by  any  in  the 
world.     This  luxurious  establishment  and    its  recherche  en- 
tertainments were  kept  up  on  the  strength  of  a  two-card  box. 
The  best  any  one  ever  yet  received  there  was  two  cards,  or    fif- 
ty-four,='  and  he  must  be  a  very  suapicious  individual,  indeed, 
who  received  as  good.    On  opening  his  house  he  had  to  contend 
against  the  envy,  and  In  many  cases  with  the  open  enmity,  of 
the  proprietors  of  flrst-class  "  skinning-houses,"  who  were  jeal- 
ous of  him,  and  who  used  every  effort  and  underhand  method 
they  could  devise  to  prevent  his  success.     But  his  indomitable 
energy  and  assurance  overcame  all  obstacles  and  won  the  day. 
The  proprietors  aud  clerks  of  the  principal  hotels  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  place  were  nearly  all  ropers-in  for  it,  the  majority  without 
having  the  remotest  idea  of  its  character.    Ho  commended  him- 
self to  the  favor  of  many  of  the  highest  of  the  city  officials,  and 
his  house  became  their  resort,  where  the  finest  of  wines  and  the 
choicest  of  luxurious  feeding  awaited  them,  with  the  hospitable 
smUe  of  Johnny  for  a  welcome.    Beyond  this,. he  has  no  enter- 
taining qualities,  for  he  is  as  ignorant  as  an  ass  of  everything 
outside  of  his  business.    He  is,  however,  wise  enough  to  know 
when  to  hold  his  tongue,  when  to  smile,  and  at  whose  jokes  to 
laugh,  and  at  a  single  glance  can  tell  a  "  blood  "  from  a  "  gray- 
back." 

All  his  tribe,  whenever  they  have  established  a  foothold,  their 
great  desire  is  to  gain  a  position  on  the  turf,  either  by  owning  a 
stable  of  racers  or  having  an  interest  in  some  race-course.  It 
gives  to  them  the  aroma  of  respectability,  and  throws  them  into 
the  company  of  wealthy  persons  whom  they  can  rope  into  their 
«  skinning  dens,"  and  there  rob  them.  Johnny  was  by  no  mea'-} 
false  to  his  order.  He  got  up  a  racing  association  and  opened  a 
magnificent  race-course  at  Long  Branch,  which  is  unsurpassed 
by  anything  of  the  sort  in  the  country,  and  has  proven  itself  a 

great  success.  -,     j        us 

A  year  or  so  before  he  opened  this  course,  ho  fitted  up  ma 
magnificent  "  Maison  de  Jeti "  at  the  Branch,  which  haa  been  so 


"^-^ 


mraas«iBsfeesi*'»«*«»^««»'i^'»=''«i'^  ■*""' 


in  the  cltv.     The 
snt  averaged  $4,000. 
;ht  be  found  there, 
ncs3  of  its  viands, 
)pcaranco,  and  the 
isscd  by  any  in  the 
its  recherche  en- 
of  a  two-card  box. 
3  two  cards,  or  "fif- 
individual,  indeed, 
a  ho  had  to  contend 
;ho  open  enmity,  of 
3CS,"  who  were  jeal- 
underhand  method 
3ut  his  indomitable 
!S  and  won  the  day. 
lotels  in  the  vicinity 
the  majority  without 
He  commended  him- 
the  city  officials,  and 
est  of  wines  and  the 
with  the  hospitable 
lis,. he  has  no  enter- 
,n  ass  of  everything 
rise  enough  to  know 
id  at  whose  jokes  to 
ood  "  from  a  "  gray- 

3hed  a  foothold,  their 
•f,  either  by  owning  a 
ome  race-course.  It 
md  throws  them  into 
y  can  rope  into  their 
dnny  was  by  no  mea'i 
ociation  and  opened  a 
which  is  unsurpassed 
id  has  proven  itself  a 

lurse,  ho  fitted  up  hia 
ch,  which  has  been  so 


SECOND-CLASS  SKINNINO-HOUSES. 


207 


graphically  described  by  our  friend,  the  reporter.  The  season  of 
its  opening  it  cleared  $Gf),000,  and  in  no  season  since  lias  it 
cleared  less  than  $30,(K)0.  Ills  friend,  Henry  P.  McOrath,  is 
again  with  hira  in  this  house,  and  comes,  to  rope-in  for  it,  every 
season,  from  Kentucky.  In  addition  to  his  other  extravagances, 
Johnny  keeps  a  steam  yacht,  in  order  that  ho  may  indulge  his 
patrons  with  a  sail  down  the  bay,  if  they  desire  it,  or  take  them 
on  a  fishing  excursion,  or  clam-bake,  whenever  they  fancy  such 
a  relaxation.  Verily,  'eader,  what  do  you  think  now  of  " splits 
and  trumps  being  sov..eigas"t 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

f£COND-CLASS  "  SKTSTNING-HOtTSES  " 

Are  not  generally  fitted  up  and  furnished  in  the  gorgeous  and 
magnificent  style  of  those  just  described.  Still,  in  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  and  Washington,  there  are  some  splendidly  deco- 
rated establishments  of  this  kind.  None  of  these,  however,  en- 
tertain their  guests  to  suppers  or  refreshments  of  any  kind,  with 
the  exception  of  liquors.  Some  of  them,  it  is  true,  have  tables 
set  out  and  arranged  handsomely,  but  they  are  only  a  sham, 
and  no  food  is  set  upon  them  unless  some  extra  fiat  customers  are 
in  one  of  the  dens,  giving  up  their  money  freely  to  a  two-card 
box.  In  such  a  case  a  supper  is  ordered  from  some  neighboring 
restaurant,  and  the  verdant  guests  are  fed  and  wined  sumptuous- 
ly ;  or  it  may  sometimes  happen  that  an  important  roper,  having 
his  eye  on  one  or  more  fat  "  gulls,"  may  desire  to  invito  them 
round  to  the  club  to  sup  with  him.  In  such  a  case  a  supper  is 
duly  ordered  from  the  restaurant  for  the  expected  guests.  But 
the  only  capital  requir'^d  to  start  a  second-class  skinning-house, 
or,  as  they  are  more  generally  termed  a  "  brace  game,"  is  sufiB- 
cient  money  to  hire  a  room,  put  in  a  faro-table,  a  side-board,  a 
dozen  or  two  of  chairs,  and  a  carpet ;  bu<^^  the  latter  luxury  is 
sometimes  dispensed  with.  The  "brace  dealer  needs  not  one 
dollar  after  he  is  ready  to  open  his  game.  His  rounds,  two-card 
box,  and  case-keeper,  is  all  the  stock  the  bank  requires.  If  some 
of  these  sharpers  fit  up  and  furnish  their  "brace"  rooms  on  a 


9M 


WANDERHIOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


ll 


grander  scale  than  otbora,  it  Is  only  to  give  to  tbem  a  more  re- 
spectable appearance.  Tbe  "personnel"  of  a  brace  game 
consists  of  an  "artist,"  a  case-keeper,  tbrce  or  four  "cap- 
pers,"  and  some  stecrcrs  or  ropers ;  the  last  two  of  rhich  fre- 
quently excbangc  roles,  or  act  in  either,  as  the  case  may  require. 
Tbe  head  of  this  delectable  concern  is  tbe  master-sharper  who 
furnishes  the  money  for  fitting  up  the  room.  He  is  generally  a 
superior  roper,  and  spends  the  greater  portion  of  his  time  hang- 
mg  about  hotels,  coffee-houses,  billiard-rooms,  and  other  public 
places,  hunting  up  "suckers"  for  the  purpose  of  decoying  them 
to  his  den  to  bo  robbed.  Next  to  him  comes  the  "  artist,"  whose 
duty  it  is  to  be  at  all  times  in  tbe  bouse,  ready  to  operate  on  any 
"  sucker"  who  may  drop  in  accidentally,  or  bo  roped  in  by  the 
attaches  of  the  establishment. 

The  case-keeper  isaman  who  keeps  the  case-box,  and  whenever 
the  "  artist"  takes  two  cards,  secretly  marks  it  up.    I  shall  here 
describe  his  duties,  which  stand  second  to  those  required  of  the 
"  artist."     Each  card,  as  it  is  run  oflf  from  the  dealing-box,  is 
marked  by  the  case -keeper.      Suppose  two  cr.rds  are  "taken" 
as  one,  the  top  one  only  being  visible ;  the  result  would  bo,  un- 
less there  were  some  means  of  letting  the  case-keeper  know 
what  the  card  was,  he  could  not  mark  it;  consequently  the 
swindle  would  be  detected  at  the  end  of  tUe  deal.    But  the 
"artist"  is  equal  to  this  emergency.  On  the  lower  right  hand  end 
of  the  losing  cards,  as  the  pack  lies  before  the  dealer  in  the  box, 
the  denomination  is  indicated  by  a  dot  precisely  the  same  as  I 
have  described  the  dots  in  rounds  on  the  winning  cards.    When 
the  "artist"  finds  it  necessary  to  pull  two  cards  from  the  box  at 
once,  he  does  not  know,  before  doing  so,  the  name  of  the  buried 
card.    The  moment  tbe  cards  are  dropped  on  the  pile,  the  under 
card,  being  a  trifle  longer  than  that  above  it,  reveals  its  name 
to  the  dealer  by  the  dot  on  its  corner.  By  a  system  of  telegraph- 
ing, as  laying  one  finger  on  the  end  of  the  box,  or  on  its  middle, 
or  one  at  each  end,  or  two  fingers  in  various  positions,  he  lets 
the  case-keeper  know  the  name  of  it,  who  quietly  sUps  up  the 
button  while  the  eyes  of  the  "suckers"  are  elsewhere. 

"Ropers"  or  "steorers,"  and  "cappers,"  as  I  said  before, 
occupy  interchangeable  positions.  A  roper  is  a  man  who 
operates  outside,  and  fishes  for  "suckers."  Hia  business  is  to 
capture  some  verdant  individual,  and  decoy  him  to  the  "brace 


S^HKacJ^SiB^^S^fS***^^ 


,^%*i  ;*t*S^'S|M.4i^s;'";r;">-  "i^W-t.'  .'^ 


IKD. 

to  tbem  a  more  re- 
'  of  a  brace  game 
Tce  or  four  "cap- 
t  two  of  rhich  fro- 
io  case  may  require, 
master-sharper  who 
He  is  generally  a 
m  of  his  time  haug- 
118,  and  other  public 
se  of  decoying  them 
8 the  "artist," whose 
,dy  to  operate  on  any 
•  bo  roped  in  by  the 

3e-box,  and  whenever 
8  it  up.    I  shall  here 
hose  required  of  the 
n  the  dealing-box,  is 
(  cards  are  "taken" 
result  would  be,  un- 
10  case-keeper  know 
it;  consequently  the 
r  th.e  deal.    But  the 
lower  right  hand  end 
;he  dealer  in  the  box, 
ecisoly  the  same  as  I 
inning  cards.    When 
lards  from  the  box  at 
le  name  of  the  buried 
on  the  pile,  the  under 
)  it,  reveals  its  name 
I  system  of  telegraph- 
box,  or  on  its  middle, 
ious  positions,  he  lets 
10  quietly  slips  up  the 
)  elsewhere. 
■s,"  as  I  said  before, 
roper  is  a  man  who 
"    Hia  business  is  to 
loyhimtothe  "brace 


SKCOJfD-CLASS  SKUTNINO-HOUSEB. 


200 


rooms."  In  nlnety-nino  cases  out  of  every  hundrod,  .stocrers 
and  cappers  for  "braee  Kii"ie.s"  are  the  iuo.st  ilisreputablo 
loafers  in  existence.  They  uio  men  devoid  of  deeeney,  honor, 
or  a  single  redeeming  qiuility.  They  luo  nearly  always  dead 
broke,  and  arc  so  moan  as  to  be  despised  l)y  the  proprietors  of 
the  "brace  games,"  which  they  servo,  and  their  "artists." 
During  the  day,  they  haunt  bar  saloons,  billiard-halls,  street 
corners,  and  low  brothels.  Many  of  them  belong  to  the  class 
described  as  "hangers-on"  of  the  rougher  class  of  gambling- 
rooms;  and  of  all  human  beings,  none  are  lower,  meaner,  -nore 
contemptible.  Occasionally,  however,  are  to  be  found  among 
them,  men  of  good  appearance,  affable  raannerc,  capable  of 
commending  themselves  to  strangers,  and  these  arc  the  valuable 
decoys  for  "brace  games."  Tlie  "stoerer"  is  perpetually  on 
the  look-out  for  verdant  people  who  possess  money,  lie  frequents 
theatres,  hotels,  coffee-houses  and  other  public  places,  for  that 
purpose,  and  if  ho  can  find  one  whom  ho  regards  as  a  promising 
subject,  he  will  use  every  endeavor  to  make  his  acquaintance. 
Frequently  a  game  of  billiards  is  proposed,  and  during  its  pro- 
gross  the  acquaintance  of  tlie  "sucker"  is  assiduously  cultivated. 
The  flfteeu-ball  pool-tables  are  favorite  angling  places  for  these 
gentry,  and  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  be  about  one  without  seeing  a 
steerer  engaged  in  play  with  some  country  merchant  or  other 
verdant  fool  with  more  money  than  brains,  anu  who  has  conse- 
quently allowed  the  former  fact  to  leak  out.  ' 

When  the  "  steerer"  thinks  matters  are  ripe  for  it,  be  carelessly 
remarks  to  his  victim,  "Well,  I  must  quit ;  I've  got  to  go  around 
to  the  club  house.  I  made  a  pretty  good  winning  there  last 
night,  and  they  want  a  chance  to  get  even." 

The  "  sucker,"  having  probably  by  this  time  imbibed  liquor 
sufficient  to  make  him  feel  a  trifle  reckless,  and  tlio  remark 
about  the  winning  having  somewhat  excited  his  cupidity  and 
curio&ity,  he  inquires,  "  What  club  house  ? " 

"Oh,"  returns  the  steerer,  "  it's  a  place  whore  a  few  gentlemen 
and  board  of  trade  men  meet  every  evening,  to  have  a  little 
game." 

The  "  sucker"  thinks,  where  board  of  trade  men  and  gentle- 
men meet  must  be  all  right,  consequently  ho  is  all  ready  to 
answer  afBrmatively  when  the  steerer  says,  "  Won't  you  walk 
around?  _They  have   some  mighty  fine  brandy  there.    You 


21U 


WANDBRINOS  OF  A  VAQABOND. 

Lot's  go  around  and  have  a  good  drink  of  lUiuor, 


iipcdn't  piny. 

""ThTvlctini  thinks  It  looks  all  right.  Uc'll  go  and  see  the 
elephant  an.l  got  a  .Irhik;  ho  ncodn  t  play,  of  course,  unless  ho 
wishes     And  so  ho  uccmnpanioa  the  stcorcr  to  the  "  brace  room. 

Lot  us  now  take  a  peep  into  tho  brace  room,  while  the  steorer 
and  his  victim  are  on  their  way  to  it.  Tho  room  is  brilliant  y 
lighted  up.  Tho  "artist"  sits  behind  tho  table,  mochamcally 
Bhuflling,  cutting,  and  butting  in,  a  pack  of  cards. 

Scattered  about  the  room,  in  various  attitudes,  are  some 
half-dozen  or  more  men-one  or  two  of  whom  are  asleep  on  tho 
Bofas-aud  several  otliers  playing  casino,  cribbago,  or  some  game 
of  the  sort.  Tho  principal  subjects  under  disci-ssion  aro  the 
merits  of  this  or  that  prostitute,  or  perhaps  one  relates,  in 
choice  slang,  garnished  with  an  occasional  oath,  his  exploits  of 
the  evening  previous,  and  informs  tlio  company  how  much  I  toin, 
never  in  any  case  using  the  word  in  a  past  tonso.  Possibly  the 
conversation  turns  on  tho  oxcollencios  of  this  or  tiiat  dealer,  tho 
exploits  of  trottiug-horscs,  or  any  kindred  subject.  Their  lan- 
guage Is  always  slangy.  Indecent,  and  blasphemous.  Presently 
there  is  a  ring  at  tho  door-bell.  The  negro  servant  answers  it, 
and  one  of  the  stoorors  enters  alone,  his  single  ring  at  the  bell 
indicating  that  ho  had  no  victim. 

After  a  moment  or  two  tho  bell  Is  again  rung  twice  In  rapid 
succession.  Presto!  In  an  instant  everything  is  changed. 
The  "  artist"  slides  his  cards  into  the  box.  The  cappers  gather 
round  the  table.  Stacks  of  checks  are  passed  to  each  of  them, 
bets  are  put  on  the  cards,  the  deal  has  begun;  when  enter  the 
"  Btecrer"  from  the  billiard  room,  and  his  gull.  "  The  gentlemen 
and  board  of  trade  men"  are  deeply  engaged  in  playing. 

The  steerer  takes  a  stack  of  checks  and  commences  to  play, 
while  the  sucker  sits  down  behind  him  to  watch  tho  game.  The 
former  wius,  of  course.  The  cupidity  of  hist  victim  is  excited ;  he 
readily  sees  into  the  game  if  he  did  not  before  understand  it,  and 
begins  to  bo  anxious  to  win  himself.  The  dealer  grumbles 
occasionally  about  itsbeingabad  night  for  tho  bank,  and  affirms, 
with  an  oath,  that  everybody's  beating  him.  Some  "capper' 
relates  how  a  man  went  into  some  bank  this  afternoon  with  a 
$5  bill  and  broke  tho  concern,  carrying  off  about  $3,500.  A 
drink  or  two  having  been  by  this  time  administered  to  the 


BOND. 

good  (Iriuk  of  liquor, 

Ilc'll  Ro  and  see  the 
r,  of  course,  uulcsa  ho 
to  the  "  brace  room." 
loiu,  while  the  stocrer 
'he  room  is  brilliantly 
e  table,  mocUuuicully 
if  cards. 

attitudes,  are  some 
liom  are  asleep  on  the 
•ibbago,  or  some  game 
3r  discrssion  arc  the 
rhaps  one  relates,  in 
I  oath,  his  exploits  of 
pany  how  much  I  win, 
It  tense.  Possibly  the 
his  or  that  dealer,  the 
d  subject.  Their  lan- 
isphemous.  Presently 
5ro  servant  answers  it, 
single  ring  at  the  bell 

n  rung  twice  In  rapid 
?erything  is  changed. 
:.  The  cappers  gather 
issed  to  each  of  them, 
egun;  when  enter  the 
full.  "The  gentlemen 
Ted  in  playing, 
id  coniracncos  to  play, 
watch  the  game.  The 
m  victim  is  excited ;  he 
iforo  understand  it,  and 

The  dealer  grumbles 
irtho  bank,  and  affirms, 

him.  Some  "capper" 
Ic  this  afternoon  with  a 
ig  off  about  $2,500.  A 
le  administered  to  the 


SECOND-CLASS  SKINNrNO-nOUSKS. 


nt 


"  sucker,"  ho  is  (piito  ready  to  arquiesco,  when  his  "jyirnd,'* 
the  "atoercr,"  passing  over  to  him  a  stark  of  clieck.s,  addresses 
him  with,  "Hero's  ton  dollar.V  worth  ofciiip.s;  put  In  another  ton 
with  it,  and  we'll  try  our  luck  together,  by  jingo!  We'll  go 
halves,  win  or  lose." 

The  proposition  is  apparently  a  fair  enough  one.  Ho  puts  in 
his  $10  and  loses.  He  puts  in  then  another  #10  to  retrieve  his 
first,  and  again  loses,  and  continues  to  do  so  until  he  is  cleaned 
out.  When  this  Is  accomplished  the  "cappers"  gradually  with- 
draw, and  the  game  breaks  up. 

A  dozen  of  suckers  may  bo  playing  at  the  same  time,  under 
the  guidance  of  as  many  different  stcorers.  A  competent  artist 
will  manage  that  number  as  easily  as  one. 

The  game  being  ended,  the  steorer  leaves  the  house  with  his 
fleeced  victim,  and,  when  he  has  shaken  him  off,  which  he  does 
aa  soon  as  pv^ssiblo,  ho  roturnc  to  the  den  for  his  division  of  the 
spoils.  Ten  per  cent,  goes  to  the  case-keeper,  forty-flvo  per 
cent,  goes  to  the  bank,  and  forty-flve  per  cent,  to  the  "steerer," 
who  brought  the  victim. 

This  is  the  division  made,  unless  the  "sucker"  happens  to  be 
some  Influential  person,  and  fleeced  while  drunk,  and  who,  when 
sober,  will  "  squeal "  for  his  money.  In  such  a  case,  the  bank  re- 
tains all  the  money  for  a  few  days,  until  they  see  what  the  victim 
intends  to  do.  If  ho  remains  quiet,  it  Is  divided ;  if  he  "  squeals,'' 
or  threatens  thorn  with  the  law  to  get  it  back.  It  is  returned  to 
him,  either  in  part  or  the  whole,  as  ho  can  be  induced  to  settle. 

Tho  forty-five  per  cent,  which  goes  to  the  house  belongs  to  the 
proprietor;  out  of  which  ho  gives  his  "artist"  his  share,  after 
the  expenses  of  tho  establishment  are  paid.  This  worthy  gets 
generally  alout  twenty-five  per  cent,  in  second-class  sklnnlng- 
houses.  Tho  cappers  get  only  whatever  the  bank  chooses  to  give 
them,  throe  or  four  dollars  each,  according  to  the  length  of 
time  they  were  employed,  and  that  only  in  a  long  game  with 
heavy  winnings. 

All  second-class  skinning-houaes  use  nothing  but  rounds  and 
strippers.  Not  one  of  their  proprietors  would  bank  a  game 
dealt  by  the  best  "  fifty-four "  player  in  the  country.  He  might 
lose,  and  nothing  could  have  a  more  disastrous  effect  on  tho 
internal  economy  of  the  keeper  of  a  second-class  skinning-house. 
They  play  for  roped  games;  one  half  of  tho  winnings  go  to  the 


i 


M\ 


212 


V7ANDEKINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


"  steorer,"  after  ten  per  cent,  has  been  deducted  <"jr  the  jase- 
keeper,  from  the  fuU  amount  fleeced  from  the  vcitim.    These 
house?  are  comiucted  on  the  same  principle  as  when  tirst  estab- 
lished, thirty  years  ago,  except  they  are  furnished  more  gorgeously 
and  the  keepers  of  tnemhave  now  less  fear  of  intrusion  from  the 
police  than  fori'^erly.     They  have  discovered  the  strength  of 
political  influence,  and  themselves  and  their  satellites  generally 
vote  in  a  body  for  such  magistratts  as  they  think  likeliest  to 
favor  their  thieving  operations.    It  would  be  impossible  to  give 
anythmg  like  a  correct  estimate  of  the  number  of  places  of  this 
sort  at  present  in  this  country.    Before  the  close  of  our  tivil  war, 
it  is  possible  that,  throughout  the  country,  as  many  aa  two 
hundred  established  robbing  dens  of  this  sort  were  in  operation 
throughout  the  laud,  including  both  North  and  South;  but  at 
the  present  time  probably  not  more  than  one  hundred  could  be 
found.    They  increase  and  decrease  according  to  the  times,  and 
more  particularly  with  the  amount  of  money  in  circulation.  They 
are  located  exclusively  in  our  large  commercial  cities.    Small 
towns  will  not  support  a  skianiug  game;  but  there  are  pomts  of 
transient  visits,  whenever  the  sharpers  learn  of  a  place  where 
any  fat  subjects  may  be  found,  that  may  be  robbed  with  a  two- 
card  box.    It  is  possible  that  tbe  city  of  New  York  contams  fif- 
teen established  second-class  skinning-houses,  that  do  not  set 
suppers,  and  that  do  play  for  "roped  gc-mes."  Tb--  are  located 
on  Broadway  or  on  the  cross-streets  not  far  from  it,  and  always 
witnin  a  short  distance  of  the  first-class  hotels.     Phiiadelphia 
supports  from  four  to  six  of  these  delectable  institutions;  Balti- 
more one  or  two ;  Boston,  two  or  three;  Washington  City,  during  a 
session  of  Congress,  from  four  to  five;  Richmond,  two  or  three; 
Charleston,  during  the  winter  season,  one ;  Savannah,  two  or  three; 
Augusva,  two;    Atlanta,  two;   Montgomery,  one;   Mobile,  four; 
Ne^v  Orleans,  from  three  to  five;  Memphis,  two  or  three;  Nash- 
ville, one  or  two;  Louisville, fcnr  or  five;  Cincinnati,  •  "o  or  three; 
Indianapolis,  generally  two;  St.  Louis,  from  three  to  lou.-;  Chica- 
go, about  the  sanis;  Kansas  City,  two  or  more;  Leavenworth, 
one;  Omaha,  one;  St.  Joseph, one;  Denver,oneor  two;  St.  Paul, 
the  same;    Pittsburgh,  Toledo,  Columbus,  Cleveland,  BufiiUo, 
Rochester.  Syracuse,  Saratoga,  Albany,  Providence,  and  other 
cities  of  the  same  size,  have  at  least  one  "  brace-house  "  each,  and 
sometimes  more,  which  depends  on  the  moneyed  "  suckers  "  either 


mi 


IBOND. 

deducted  ♦"jr  the  jase- 
om  the  vcitim.    These 
jle  as  .vheu  tkst  estab- 
uished  more  gorgeously 
ir  of  intrusion  from  the 
)vered  the  strength  of 
lieir  satellites  generally 
they  think  likeliest  to 
i  be  impossible  to  give 
umbjr  of  places  of  this 
16  close  of  our  civil  war, 
mtry,  as  many  aa  two 
i  sort  were  in  operation 
»rth  and  South;  but  at 
1  one  hundred  could  be 
)rding  to  the  times,  and 
iiey  in  circulation.  They 
mmercial  cities.    Small 

but  there  are  points  of 
learn  of  a  place  where 
yr  be  robbed  with  a  two- 
'  New  York  contains  flf- 
lious'es,  that  do  not  set 
tnes."  Tbos?  are  located 

far  from  it,  and  always 
ss  hotels.  Philadelphia 
table  institutions;  Balti- 
Vashington  City,  during  a 
Richmond,  two  or  three ; 
;  Savannah,  two  or  three; 
lery,  one;  Mobile,  four; 
(his,  two  or  three ;  Nash- 

Cincinnati,  •  "o  or  three; 
rom  three  to  iou.-;  Chica- 

or  more;  Leavenworth, 
iver,  one  or  two;  St.  Paul, 
ibus,  Cleveland,  Bufiiilo, 
',  Providence,  and  other 
"  brace-house  "  each,  and 
aoneyed "  suckers"  either 


SECOND-CLASS  SKINNrSG-HOUSES. 


213 


living  or  transiently  stopping  in  them.  Nearly  every  capital  seat 
in  the  country  can  boast  of  at  least  one  brace-house,  during  the 
session  of  the  legislature. 

The  Pacific  slope  has  been  free  from  these  nuisances  during 
the  last  ten  years,  so  also  have  the  principal  towns  in  our  terri- 
tories. This  has  been  entirely  duo  to  the  determined  hostility 
shown  towards  the  sharpers  and  their  practices,  by  the  gamblers 
resident  in  those  places. 

During  th".  building  of  the  Pacific  Railroad,  the  sharpers 
followed  it  up  step  by  stop,  from  Omaha  to  Salt  Lake  City,  and 
beyond,  and  in  every  mushroom  town  that  sprung  up  along  the 
route,  like  Jonah's  gourd,  in  a  night  they  built  gambling-houses 
in  which  could  be  found  nothing  but  thieving  games.  At  one 
time,  along  the  line  of  this  road,  at  least  three  hundred  sharpers 
were  operating,  with  their  ropers,  cappers,  and  other  stand-byes, 
all  of  whom  were  engaged  in  conducting  such  games  or  frauds 
as  waxed  card  monte,  .«ii;ippor  roulettes,  marked  cards  "vingt- 
et-un,"  red  and  black  lottery,  and  three-card  monte.  On  all 
the  railroads  building  at  this  time,  or  that  will  be  commenced 
west  of  the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  rivers,  are  or  will  be  found 
these  pests  of  society,  practicing  their  swindling  arts  on  the  un- 
wary, and  they  will  not  cease  to  do  so,  unttl  the  legislatures  pass 
severe  Jaws  for  the  purpose  of  punishing,  as  they  deserve,  frauds 
at  gambling. 

PATENT     DEALEBS     OR     ARTISTS. 

Of  the  different  methods  of  cheating  at  faro,  none  have  been 
invented  by  sharpers,  or  even  gamblers,  but  have  principally 
emanated  from  the  brains  of  mechanics.  The  fruits  of  their 
genius  were  eagerly  seized  upon  by  tlie  sharper,  the  price  paid 
being  generally  the  furnishing  of  capital  to  test  the  now  work, 
and  division  of  the  profits  with  the  inventor,  if  successful. 

The  first  requisite  vrnr  a  suitable  person  to  work  the  invr  nticrh. 
The  inventor  might  create,  and  the  sharper  might  fully  under- 
stand the  value  of  his  production,  and  where  it  might  b'.  made 
most  profitable;  but  neither  were  able  to  execute  the  nect-ssary 
maneuvers,  even  on  the  most  verdant  player,  not  to  mention  a 
party  of  suspicious  gamblers.  At  least  no  instance  of  the  kind 
has  ever  fallen  under  my  observation.  There  is  scarcely  to  be 
found  at  the  present  time,  a  smgle  keeper  of  a  first  or  second- 


J 


^-i 


m 


<i; 


214  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

Class  skinning-house,  who  can  manipulate  a  two-card  box,  or,  in 
S  any  of  those  tricks  at  faro,  which  are  constantly  m  use 
thee     These  operators,  or  "artists,"  ae  the:'  ar-,  termed,  are,  as 
a  general  thing,  young  men,  some  but  little  better    han  boys 
but  averaciuR  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five,  who  have  been 
peeked  up  and  educated  by  master  sharpers  for  this  purpose. 
Care  trained  with  the  greatest  care,  -til  they  are  njace 
perfect  in  the  role  required  of  them,  and  which  they  must  play 
before  an  observing,  and  perhaps  suspicious  audience     The 
{east  la*k  of  skill,  the  slightest  want  of  confidence  in  the"  elv  es, 
or  the  most  t.ifling  mistake,  would  be  certain  to  lead  to  the  de- 
tection of  the  fraud.    Plenty  of  men  have  learned  the  science  of 
pumng?wo  cards,  shuffling,  stripping,  and  stocking  a  trimmed 
S  to  perfection,  and  can  do  it  in  an  unexceptionable  man- 
Srbeforrthose  o    their  own  ilk,  but  place  them  before  even 
tZ  mos  verdant,  who  are  to  be  taken  in  by  the  maneuver  and 
JhcyTse  alTeonfldence  in  themselves,  a^d^re  totally  unable  to 
operate  upon  them.    It  requires  years  o:  constant  practice  for 
?he  most  of  men  to  become  accomplished  brace  dealers.     Occa- 
sronaTy  one  reaches  pre-eminence  in  his  profession,  m  a  year  or 
Bionaiiy,  uuo  ioc«.  wutxnnvc.v  one  becomes 


but  such  is  not  often  the  case. 


an    hilt    BUCh    IS  UOl    OllCU     iu«    j^twc-       '■ "- 

m^re  than  commonly  skillful,  his  fame  soon  spreads  among  those 
SSs  tribe,  and  he  is  eagerly  sought  after  by  the  master-sharp- 

''tr^^SSl^rl'^L^lly  taken  from  among  the  cappers,  or 
ca^  Lepers,  I  any  of  them  show  aptitude  for  the  protession. 
ITfltt  thei  individuals  demanded  half  the  Plundej,  ^^"*  ^^ 
fheir  Tmmbers  increased,  their  interest  in  the  games  they  deaU 
lradu>rbecame  smaller.    They  receive  at  the  present  time  m 
fecond-Ls  houses,  from  one-third  to  one-fourth  of  the  profl  s, 
and  in  first-class  houses,  ten  to  fifteen  per  cent.    In  some  a.  is 
J^laSc  establishments,  a.  for  instance  that  of  Chamb^rla™'  ^^ 
nT  8  Twenty-fifth  street,  and  at  Saratoga,  they  rece  ve  a  fixed 
2arv  of  $75  per  week  with  board  and  lodging.    The  increase  in 
JSenumberorthese  dealers,  and  the  dec^        in  the  number  of 
hon-s  o?  this  sort  sinco  the  war,  has  induced  tho  bosB.sharpe.s 
to  take  advantage  of  their  artists  in  this  respect,  or,  in  othei 
words,  has  compelled  them  to  "steal"  for  wages. 

These  persons,  or  very  few  of  them,  outside  their  brace-dcal- 
Jabmty.S 'never  shown  any  skUl  as  card-players,  and  very 


-timimwMm.ita" 


BOXD. 

a  two-card  box,  or,  in 
tire  constantly  in  use 
lie:'  ar-,  termed,  are,  as 
itle  better  than  boys, 
■five,  who  have  been 
pers  for  this  purpose. 
,  until  they  are  made 
which  they  must  play 
icioup   audience.     The 
ifidcnce  iu  tliemselves, 
tain  to  lead  to  the  de- 
I  learned  the  science  of 
id  stocking  a  trimmed 
unexceptionable  man- 
lace  them  before  even 
1  by  the  maneuver,  and 
d  »re  totally  unable  to 
)'  constant  practice  for 
1  brace  dealers.     Occa- 
pvofossion,  in  a  year  or 
;Vhenever  one  becomes 
on  spreads  among  those 
er  by  the  master-sharp- 

n  among  the  cappers,  or 
tude  for  the  profession, 
alf  the  plunder,  but  as 
in  the  games  they  dealt 
re  at  the  present  time  in 
me-fourtb  of  the  profits, 
per  cent.    In  some  aris- 
that  of  Chamberlain,  at 
oga,  they  receive  a  fixed 
)dging.    The  increase  in 
crease  in  the  number  of 
iduced  tho  boss- sharpers 
this  respect,  or,  in  other 
for  ■wages. 

outside  their  brace-dcal- 
as  card-players,  and  very 


u 


SECOND-CLASS  SKINNINO' -HOUSES. 


215 


little  or  no  business  capacity.  Wore  they  thrifty,  they  might 
be  masters,  instead  of  slaves  in  their  profession;  because  their 
money  could  purchase  them  an  equal  interest  in  the  frauds 
which  they  operate ;  but  they  are  not.  Money  is  a  burden  to 
them,  and  if  iboy  possess  it,  they  are  restless  until  they  play  it 
ofif  against  faro,  or  l-^s--  it  in  betting  on  horso-raciug,  or  spend  it 
extravagantly  on  themselvts  or  abandoned  women.  They  take 
no  thought  for  tho  morrow,  but  literally  leave  it  to  take  heed  for 
the  things  of  itself.  Of  the  many  who  have  sprung  up  since  the 
invention  of  brace-dealing,  not  a  dozen  out  of  tho  number  ha/o 
Lad  forethought  enough  to  secure  to  themselves  a  home,  or  any 
provision  against  a  rainy  day;  though  among  them  are  but  few 
that  might  not  have  accumulated  a  handsome  competency. 
When  impoverished  and  out  of  employ,  which,  with  them,  are 
synonymous  terms,  they  are  the  most  miserable  creatures  on  the 
face  of  the  earth. 

KOPERS    AND    CAPPERS    OF    ARISTOCRATIC    SKINNING-HOUSES. 

These  houses,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  are  always  loca- 
ted in  large  cities,  or  crowded  watering-places.    At  one  time, 
during  the  war,  New  York  supported  as  many  as  ten,  and  now 
can  boast  of  four.    Washington  has  every  winter,  up  to  1870, 
supported  from  four  to  five,  but  the  scarcity  of  moneyed  suckers 
has  induced  them  to  sell  out,  and  abandon  tho  pUwje  in  disgust, 
and  ''Ichabod"may  now  be  written  above  their  former  gran- 
deur.    They  are    generally  temporarily  opened  at  the  State 
capitals  during  sessions  of  the  legislature,  for  the  accommodation 
of  such  wealthy  law-makers  as  desire  to  make  or  renew  the  ac- 
quaintance of  the  "  tiger."     Immediately  after  the  war,  three 
were  furnished  and  fitted  up  in  New  Orleans,  in  the  most  gor- 
geous style,  by  some  enterprising  spirits  who  bore  in  mind  the 
lavish  manner  in  which  wealthy  merchants  and  planters^ad 
formerly  dropped  their  money  on  the  green  tables,  but  these 
were  now  impoverished,  and  tho  sharpers  soon  discovered  that 
a  single  house  was  all  that  city  would  support.    Previous  to  the 
war,  Charleston  was  every  winter  blessed  with  a  magnificently 
appointed  skinning-honoe,  but  since  that  little  "unpleasantness," 
the  sharping  geniiy  have  found  but  Ihin  grazing  there,  and 
have  abandoned  it  entirely.    Savannah  still  supports  a  fashiona- 


j'wittf*!^*,'^ 'f  j"t!!U^'A  '  • ' 


WBjwiwWWiuii  I'l     IJi- 


1  i! 


■1  .■ 


gjQ  -WANDEBTNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

ble  (Icn,  Which  is  considered  ono  of  the  best  paying  inr.titutiona 
of  the  sort  in  the  country.  ui„uw 

For  more  than  thirty  years,  Saratoga  has  supported  a  highly 
aristocmt  c  Maison  de  Jru  of  this  species.  During  the  war,  as 
Tny  i  hreo  flourished  here,  but  the  business  i«  a  P-sent 
Conducted  by  a  party  of  sharpers  who  have  «"  ^^^^^^ 
thing  in  their  line,  to  the  utter  exclusion  of  their  brethren  ana 
who  have  there  built  and  furnished  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
of  these  houses  to  bo  found  in  the  world. 

Of  their  artists  and  cappers,  the  former  are  paid  f  om  $40  to 
$75  per  week,  and  the  latter,  as  is  everywhere  customaij,  are 
dependent  on  the  generosity  of  the  bankers. 

Newport  has  enjoyed  for  thirty  years  a  skinning-houso,  which, 
if  reports  are  true,  has  been  a  very  profitable  one  to  is  owners, 
one  of  its  principals,  James  Watson,  died  a  short  time  since, 
leaving  an  estate  worth  about  $2.'>0,000. 

ills  only  since  the  commencement  of  our  civil  war  that  a  first- 
cl^  house  of  this  sort  has  been  fitted  up  at  Cape  May  but 

ev^y  season  the  place  was  visited  by  ^^'^-^/^  «'^Xls  But  a 
we  cities,  who  operated  in  their  rooms  at  the  hotels.  But  a 
S  of  prominent  Philadelphia,  sharpers,  seeing  how  popular 
?hrpl^ewTbecomingas  a  summer  resort  and  the  numbers 
who  flock  the.e  during  that  searon,  at  once  divined  how  advan- 
Cons  abnsiness  might  bedone  there,  and  bought  and  magnif- 
icently furnished  a  residence  for  that  purpose,  where  they 
entertain  «u™Pt«o««^y  such  members  of  the  moneyocracy  as 
can  upon  thS,  for  which  they  collect  their  score,  with  a  two- 

'"'Every  aristocratic  sk-nning-honse  has  its  aristocratic  loafers  to 
"cap"  its  games,  who,  from  time  to  time,  receive  the  axjknow- 
ledgments  of  the  proprietors,;.,  the  ^bap^  «f  ^.  ^^^  "-^  5^°  ^2 
biU  Occasionally,  when  employed  for  a  long  time,  and  the  bank 
has  made  an  unusually  large  stake,  even  twenty  or  twenty-five 
dollars  may  be  given  to  each  of  them.  As  the  case-keeper  stands 
a  Se  Wgher,  in  these  mansions,  he  is  more  mun  flcen  ly  paul 
Jhan  these  gentlemen;  but  in  most  houses  he  is  entirely  depend- 
Inron  the  generosity  of  his  employer.  In  some,  however  he 
receives  a  regular  salary,  as  those  houses  I  have  mentioned  m 
Ne^York  and  Saratoga.  The  ca«c-keepers  and  eappe  s^^^^ 
usuaUy  changed  as  often  as  once  every  mon^Y   n  order  that  their 


Buj.m,!j»iii«i.mr"' 


1 


OND. 

i  paying  iD:,titution8 

i  supported  a  highly 
During  the  war,  as 
isiness  is  at  present 
!  monopoUzed  every- 
:  tlieir  brethren,  and 
the  most  magnificent 

are  paid  from  $40  to 
whore  customary,  are 

cinning-houso,  which, 
l)lo  one  to  its  owners, 
cl  a  short  time  since, 

■  civil  war  that  a  first- 
up  at  Capo  May,  but 
adic  sharpers  from  the 
at  the  hotels.  But  a 
5,  seeing  how  popular 
lort,  and  the  numbers 
;e  divined  how  advan- 
id  bought  a!id  magnif- 

purpose,  where  they 

■  the  moneyocracy  aa 
leir  score,  with  a  two- 

ts  aristocratic  loafers  to 
e,  receive  the  acknow- 
le  of  a  five  or  ten  dollar 
long  time,  and  the  bank 
twenty  or  twenty-five 
i  the  case-keeper  stands 
more  munificently  paid 
s  he  is  entirely  depend- 
In  some,  however,  he 
?«  I  have  mentioned  iu 
epers  and  cappers  are 
lon^^V   M  order  that  their 


SECOND-CLASS  SKIXXIXfi-noUSES. 


217 


continual  presonco  about  the  gaino  injiy  not  excite  suspicion 
amoivij;  its  liahilin's.  Asido  from  tlio  proprietor  of  tlicsc  brace 
games,  their  rojiers  are  often  lawyers,  doetors,  lirokers,  horse- 
dealers,  inercliants  of  ail  dcseriiitions,  hotel  and  coflbe-houso 
proprietors,  and  others en;j:a;^ed  in  puldio  life,  all  of  wiiom  have 
undoriiiiiic  tlie  ordonl  of  a  two-card  liox  l)el'ore  becoming  such. 
These  imiiiaculate  j,'eiitlenieM  arc  careful  of  their  rcimtation, 
and  allow  none,  except  the  propnet(U'  of  the  Louse  for  which 
they  are  operating,  to  suspect  their  true  calling.  They  seldom 
meddle  with  any,  excei)t  those  dupes  who  have  their  thousands 
ready  and  willinu;  to  hand  over  to  a  two-eard  box,  and  such  as 
are  certain  to  make  no  loud  complaints  after  their  losses.  This 
class  of  fastidious  ropers  only  iiitrodueo  their  victims  to  thedetis, 
though  they  may,  on  sonic  occasions,  cap  the  game,  by  way  of 
encouragement  to  their  dupes  to  play.  Half  a  dozen  of  these 
may  meet  in  one  of  these  houses,  each  with  his  "gull,"  without 
having  the  remotest  suspicion  of  each  other's  calling. 

The  next  on  the  list  is  the  practical  roper,  lie  is  a  man  who 
has  been  well  raised  and  who  moves  in  good  society,  and  has  an 
extensive  acquaintance  among  business  men,  and  men  of  wealth 
generally.  He  bets  on  races  and  on  short  games  of  cards  with 
amateurs.  He  is  foiid  of  display,  liberal  with  his  money,  of 
agreeable  manners  and  easy  address,  and  has  such  other  ac- 
complishments as  will  easily  entrap  men  devoted  to  play  or 
pleasure,  and  well  calculated  for  seducing  those  who  have  nc 
very  particular  leaning  towards  either. 

When  this  class  of  ropers  get  on  the  scent  of  a  victim,  they  are 
as  untiring  ,is  a  bloodhound.  Should  his  standing  at  home  not 
admit  of  his  entering  a  gambling-house,  your  practical  roper  will 
follow  his  prey  thou.sands  of  miles,  if  necessary,  in  order  to  land 
him  inside  .some  skimiing  den  at  last. 

It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  proprietor  of  these  houses 
should  be  widely  known  as  a  No.  1  sporting  man,  be  the  keeper 
of  a  fa.shionabIe  club  house,  where  he  gives  nrherchc  suppers 
and  the  finest  brands  of  liqiuu's  and  cigars  to  his  guests.  The 
more  widely  himself  .and  club  house  are  known,  the  more  profit- 
able will  be  his  business.  It  is  vital  toliim,  then,  toeiiltivate  the 
acquaintance  of  .nil  who  can  in  any  respect  benefit  his  house.  In 
it  may  be  found  officials,  from  aldermen  to  senators,  and  all 
other  grades  who  have  the  one  thing  here  requisite— the  almighty 


mmf*- 


■'I'.IJ 


WANDKRINGS  OF   A  VAGABOxND. 


218 

^  11  .    nn.l  nro  wiUinc  to  surrender  it  in  sufficiently  lr.rge  quan- 
m  cB^  the  iJresS  lo'  asciuations  of  the  t.-o-card  box     They 

''T-  ,.,  L  effecB  or  ricb  wines,  he  i8  marclicd  Into  tUe  sa...b- 

j!5te  MS  l,amo,al.d  tbe  roaletto  wheel  man  Isspmnms  1™  ball, 
dealing  us  B!™'-'-"  commences  playmg  agamst 

rSa^'  JS  bo5t  a Tmtod  dollars-  wo«h  of  checks,  l>n. 
the  to"".  O";'"^  .,  ,,,»„,i„t„  play;  and  whether  he  docs  or  not, 
2:Ts  «at  d  w Itl  tie  same  oenrtes'y.    Should  he  hare  but  llt.h 

Zg  to  credit  bin.  with  whatever  amount  he  may  wish  to  play 
•"IL™  arfsemsh,  craft,,  and  avaricious,  and  in  no  cas« 

jt^z,.  moved  by  x^''^:^r:7:zTc:^o' 

■^^T^:Z£^^'  -'-  SL"  tllevis'e  anymeans 


lOND. 

ifflciently  large  quan- 
two-card  box.  They 
;he  respectable  clnss- 
icnds  of  wealthy  n.?n, 
gives  to  it  all  air  of 
10  ropers  for  it,  and 
lomcut  suspecting  its 

1  a  city,  is  at  onco  set 
lor  the  master  sharper 
on  is  all  that  is  rcqiiir- 
n  the  bar-room  of  the 
;ly  warmed  up,  he  is 
upper.  Should  the  fas- 
.ent,  a  carriage  is  call- 
theatre,  or  perhaps  the 
shionable  boxes.  Per- 
listriouic  is  suitable  to 

prefers  visiting  one  of 
id  sbariier  is  at  home 
vncy  houses,  and  is  per- 
i.  Returning,  the  car- 
use,' into  which  the  vic- 

supper,  and  under  the 
larched  into  the  gamb- 
•rouudcd  by  his  cappers, 
man  is  spinning  his  ball, 
imences  playing  against 
ars'  worth  of  checks,  but 

whether  he  does  or  not, 
ihould  he  have  but  littlt 
aerous  host  is  quite  will- 
nt  he  may  wish  to  play 

aricious,  and  in  no  case 
generous  impulses  which 
ire  a  privileged  class  of 
ailed  to  devise  any  means 
as  the  misfortune  to  come 
rob,  or  use  to  carry  out 


SECOND-CLASS   SKINNING-UOUSES. 


219 


their  nefarious  designs  upon  others.  Whenever  they  make  any 
display  of  liberality,  they  are  prompted  by  some  scllish  motive; 
and  whenever  tliey  8i)eud  a  dollar  it  is  witli  the  expectation  of 
making  ten.  I?y  the  luxurious  feasts  which  they  spread  nightly 
In  their  robbing  dens,  they  manage  to  draw  around  them  tlie 
wealthy  and  inlluential  pcr.'^ons  of  the  place  where  they  are  lo- 
cated, and  obtain  their  countenance  and  protection.  Tlic  public 
at  largo  looks  upon  them  as  the  leading  sporting  men  of  the 
country.  Numbered  among  their  nightly  guests  are  astute 
lawyers  and  politi(Mans,  calculating  bankers,  brokers,  and  mer- 
chants, who  regale  themselves  on  the  elegant  suppers  and  choice 
wines  of  their  host,  without  casting  a  thought  to  the  problem  of 
where  the  money  is  procured  to  meet  the  cost  of  suci'.  magnifl- 
ceuce.  Should  it  ever  cross  the  mind  of  one  of  these  sapient 
"gulls"  to  inquire  how  such  gorgeous  establ-shments  are  kept 
up,  his  question  is  answered  by  his  friend,  the  gentleman-roper, 
"Oh!  the  'splits'  at  faro  are  something  cnonmms!" 

Reader,  the  percentage  of  square  faro  does  not  reach  two  per 
cent.,  and  it  would  require  a  play  of  at  least  C50,000  daily,  to 
support  such  establishments  as  I  have  described ;  and  I  have 
grave  doubts  if  any  bank  in  the  world  has  averaged,  daily,  for 
the  8i)ace  of  six  months,  a  play  of  $20,000. 

So  conflicting  are  the  interests  of  gamblers  and  sharpers,  that 
if  the  former  possessed  the  power,  the  latter  w{)uld  be  so  com- 
pletely crushed  out,  that  not  a  two-card  box  could  be  found 
in  America.  The  breaiiing  up  of  the  skinning-houses  in  San 
Francisco,  and  their  final  oxtirpntion  from  the  Pacific  slope,  is 
entirely  due  to  the  efiforts  of  gamblers.  Every  person  robbed 
there  was  informed  of  their  rascally  practices,  and  urged  to 
sue  for  his  money  back.  Men  were  posted  before  the  dons,  to 
warn  strangers  about  to  enter  them,  of  their  character.  The 
doors  of  square  faro  games  were  shut  in  the  face  of  ropera*  By 
these  hostile  measures,  they  were  driven  from  the  Pacific  slope. 
Self-defense  prompted  them  to  pursue  this  course.  So  long  as 
these  swindlers  were  allowed  to  operate,  tliey  cast  a  taint  on 
faro-banks  in  general.  While  gambling-houses  were  licensed  in 
the  city  of  New  Orleans,  the  gamblers  did  all  in  their  power  to 
break  un  the  skinning-houses;  and  succeeded,  until  the  legisla- 
ture, in  1836,  repealed  the  act  hcensing  gambling,  which  opened 
the  way  for  again  introducing  the  skinning  games.   The  sharpers 


ijiioi_Li!ii4,:i).iijjii,f;ji»*«jj;;*;;'*t'*^!>^^^^ 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  Vii  C  iBOND. 

;:.  private  roo..  to  opon^  ^^  Z^.^  0:^^!^^  '^ 
hotels,  wl.ilc  their  ropers  were  "I  ""  .  ° ;  "  ,^,.,.  ^i^iic  phico, 
c«lTce-h<.use3,  hilUard-roo.us,  ^^'^^^^  ^,  violati..n  of 
picking  up  custoraora  tor  thorn.  ^\^^J  .'^;;'f '„,\,,h,,m  otV  the 
?he  Uuv,  tho  .nonoy  they  l^^^-^JJ-;  ,^^  ^  Si-"  aUng  with 
police  and  informers,  ho  that  ^^^y  ^^I'j;  ;;,, ^  „„t  atfor.l  to  ruu 
but  slight  risk.    But  t^/'' -|"'^™  «ni^!   leSg  any  game  being 

$1,000;  and  square  faro  cannot  P^^  X^,/  "^'^thold  in  a  place, 
Wherever  the  sharpers  have  °^,  *""^,J^J^J^;''  ^n  e  rex trnva: 
they  have  not  failed  to  outgenera^  '%'mac    with  men  In  high 
gant  entertainments  bring  them  "^  «"";^"  ^^^-^^  n.onoy 

places,  to  secure  ^^^'^^''T^'l^Z  ^^l^^^^^^^  and  in 
freely.  Not,  of  course,  ^^ ^^^'XToZldo^V^o^  bribery ;  and 
many  delicate  ways  covermg  «^«'J^"«^;;;;  ^,,  elcctiunooring 
Bometimos  by  advancmg  a  f";"";^"^""  cannot  alVord  to  do 
purposes.  The  square  gamWmg  ^^^^^  ,,  ,,eddling 
these  things,  nor  do  one  m  fifty  of  ^  'nosed  to  having  square 
in  elections.  The  sharpers  are  g^«f  ^  ^PJ^^J^^t^  they  Jould 
games  near  their  skinning-houses,  «J'  '\;^;;;^'  Tliey  fear 
prevent  it,  in  the  P^--  .-^Sncfbetw:oXtif  g-e^.  fre- 

their  dupes  may  learn  the  difl«'-e"^°  «^  ;5^      ;    r^^^  frequenter 
qncntopportunitiesof  playmgagamst  helat^^.     1       ^^1    ^^^^ 

of  tho  den  of  Johnny  Chamberlain  on  T we  uyn  ^^^^^^ 

hasbeen  for  years  dropping  his  mon  y  ^S^'^  J^  J^^^^^^^^    ^f  .^eing 

the  relief  of  a  single  winning,  or  ^^^^^  ^^^^^ n^^^"  „  ^^,,  f^ct  that 

amend  win,  will  "f-^^-S^^rpe S  m  of 

there  is  something  strange  m  this  perpetual  ,  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^^ 

himself,  but  in  every  f^' ^^  ^2\TheZon  Johnny's  and  the 
his  base,  and  f^'f^^^^Z!^^^^.  12  Ann  Street,  or 
square  estabhshment  at  ^l^^J™'',^^^^^  places  in  the 

8  Barclay,  or  ^^^^^^^^^  «  ^^^.Suy  onhe  el^i'^  he  rust 
city,  where,  accordmg  to  tho  mtabili^^^^^^^^^  ^.^  ^^.^^^^^^  ^.,^^ 
frequently  win,  himself,  and  a}so  see  inan>  ^^.^ 

whoso  knowledge  of  the  ^^^  ;«  n    be^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ,, 

suspicions  will  P'^ohably  be  pret  y  thorou^  aristocratic 

has  been  robbed  scientiflca  ly  ^^^  '""~;^;^"his,  the  square 
establishment  of  Chamberlam     In  ^^-^^^  "  ^^^^  ,^,,,,e 

KS:;rr S^r^  ^r ^^:ictin.s  of  the  fraudulent 


"iff.i^'t^^USE?*""! 


SECOND-CLASS  SKIXNINO-HOUSES. 


m 


a. 

icir  rooms  at  the 
cts  or  around  tho 
Lliiu-  i/iiblic  place, 
ted  lor  violiitiim  of 
tima  bou^'ht  otV  tlio 
?  their  caUing  with 
d  not  atVord  to  run 
ig  any  game  being 

3. 

foothold  in  a  place, 
ivs.     Their  extra  va- 

witU  men  hi  high 
ch  out  their  money 
t  by  presents,  and  in 
(lor  of  bribery ;  and 
J  for  electioneering 
cannot  alVord  to  do 
r  think  of  meddling 
sod  to  having  square 

fact,  if  they  could 
located.    They  fear 
n  them,  if  given  fre- 
;ter.    Tho  frequenter 
enty-flfth  street,  who 
ist  tho  bank,  without 
rratiQcation  of  seeing 
nied  to  the  fact  that 
il  ill  lack,  not  only  of 
I.     When  ho  changes 
en  Johmiy's  fm<^  the 
Jo.  12  Ann  Street,  or 
.mbling  places  in  the 
the  chances,  he  rust 
ny  of  his  friends  win, 
cr   than  his  own,  his 
ighlv  aroused,  that  he 
allv,  in  the  aristocratic 

ion  to  this,  the  square 
■0  the  sharper,  because 
tims  of  the  fraudulent 


character  of  his  tranniactions,  whenever  ho  can.      Under  the 
Know-nothing  regime  in  Now  Orleans,  when  tho  sbarpcrs  bocamu 
more  powerful  than  ever  before  or  .since,  and  it  is  to  bo  hoped 
ever  will  be  again,  they  raised  every  obstacle  in  their  power  to 
prevent  tho  square  games  from  being  openecL    In  tho  winter  of 
IS-jd,  but  a  single  gaiuo  of  square  faro  was  open  in  tho  city;  and 
that  was  located  ovei-  a  livery  stable.    Tho  room  was  meanly 
furnished,  and  tho  limit  was  six  dollars  and  a  (luartor,  with  a 
paroli  to  twenty-Uve  dolL^rs.    At  the  .samo  time  there  were  flftoea 
bird  sui)per  (skinnir.g)  hoasea  in  full  blast.    So  long  aa  tho  Know- 
nothing  party  were  in  power  in  tho  city,  thesharpera  could  depend 
on  it  for  protection  ;  for  tho  reason  that  they  gave  money  freely 
toward  its  support,  and  so  long  as  they  could  exclude  from  tho 
city,  squiU'O  houses,  so  long  the  charge  of  unfairness  was  less 
likely  to  be  cast  against  them.    Gamblers  wore  the  only  persons 
they  feared;  and  during  tho  ascendency  of  the  Thuga  in  the  city, 
were  not  only  ke;'t  from  opeuing  their  games,  but  from  speaking 
against  tho  sharpers,  by  dread  of  assassination.    To  illustrate 
how  anxious  wore  tho  sharpers  to  have  tho  mysteries  of  their 
dens  preserved  from  exposure,  and  their  great  desire  that  their 
dupes  should  learn  nothing  about  the  game  of  faro,  that  might 
lead  them  to  suspect  they  were  being  foully  dealt  with  at  their 
places,  I  shall  hero  relate  a  circumstance  which  occurred  in  the 
city  of  New  Orleans  in  the  winter  of  1859.     A  party  of  sharpers 
from  Richmond  had  opened  a  gorgeous  ostablishmfent  on  Canal 
street.     So  far  as  their  gambling  relations,  or  the  appearance  of 
them,  went,  they  conducted  their  house  on  a  more  liberal  scale 
than  any  other  of  tho  sort  in  the  city.    When  they  could  do  no 
better  they  were  willing  to  depend  on  tho  odd  card  which  niade 
the  percentage  fifteen  per  cent,  more  in  their  favor  than  in  a 
square  game^    Or  when  tho  game  had  around  it  only  small 
players,  they  fretiuently  dealt  it  on  the  square.    What  they 
principally   depended  on  was  fleecing  fat  subjects  who  \fcre 
roped  into  the  den,  or  dropped  in  accidentally.    To  give  their 
game  every  appciu-anco  of  fairness  they  introduced  cue-papera. 
Up  to  that  time  the  keeping  of  the  cards  by  pencil  and  paper 
was  unknown  in  that  city,  or  in  any  of  tho  Southern  States  south 
of  Richmond.      This  innovation  created   the   greatest  alarm 
among  the  skin-game  sharpers  there.    A  deputation  waited  upon 
the  Richmondites,  who  were  informed  that  too  much  money  had 


Ii 


•WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

'C  S^Snlo^ou^t  arise,  in  ti.o  ,nin.l  of  the  roaacr^^y, 
if  Tho   hm  ers  wc-re     -  powerful  iu  tlio  city,  tlioy  allowi-.l  any 
^n  ;m   ll^tl^r,  and  .llvidc  with  tlunn  the  u^agniticent  hanxs 
0     0  reaped  there  every  winter  with  a  two-card  box      I   o 
answer  is    ieaU.nsy.     Mutual  preservation  united  tho  shaipers 
S'st  lie    mrn'rltic  party,  which,  while  in  power,  never  ceased 
?o  ™uto  t'^m.    Conso,  uently,  as  soon  a.  the  Know-nothings 
bargain  l    ho  a-scon.lene;  in  the  city,  the  sharpers,  with  one 
accor^fwero  its  steadfast  upholders,  both  by  then-  activity  am 
troir  money.    It  was  virtually  the  Know-nothings  who  destroyed 
tho  seTere'laws  enacted  against  gambling  by  wiping  out    hat 
c  auso  which  gave  one-half  the  fines  to  tho  informer.    Bu    if 
these  worthier ^        f^l'y  I»'»t«'^ted  in  their  n.J:  ries,  a  burning 
Sd  and  "alousy  exited  among  tl^m.    Each  w^  -;'«- « 
the  other's  influence  with  tho  authorities,  and  only  fear  of  ex- 
posure kept  them  on  terms  of  decency  and  good  behavior  to- 
wards each  other.    For  one  sharper  to  be.  ins  rumental   m 
leaking  up  the  establishment  of  another  ^'•'^''^J, 'l^"g^'^«"^  .^„^. 
perimeS,  as  retaliation  was  sure  to  ensue.    Tho    aw  against 
Gambling  was  severe,  and  still  in  full  operation ;  but  fered  no 
fX  tolnformers,  which  was  to  tho  sharpers  a  protection.    But 
Sd  ono  of  the  0,  by  underhand  measures,  break  up  the  den 
Stother,  revenge'  would  induce  the  f-ty-jured    o  go  b^^^^ 

bese  eaused  tb;  sharpers  to  respect  the  -^^^^^^^^ 
but  against  square  gamblers,  who,  having  no  P^rt  e"  «r  mfl"ence 
thererwished  toopen  square  games  in  the  Pl'^«''^  f^^.^f^''^^'^^ 
unit,  hostile.  They  were  prevented  f"'"  °P«"'"^f^fi„ " 
through  fear  of  violence  from  the  Thugs,  who  wor  hand  in  hand 
with  the  sharpers,  and  ready  to  commit  any  outrage  at  their 


%  ¥ 


sent  standard  and 
)  into  Mio  place  and 
,  liiro.  Tbia  warn- 
it  tinco  abandoned 

of  the  reader,  why, 
,-,  tbcy  allowed  any 
inagnilK-eiit  liarvcst 
wo-card  box.     Tlio 
united  the  Hbarpers 
power,  never  ceased 
,  the  Know-nothlnga 
5  sharpers,  with  one 
.)y  their  activity  and 
hings  who  destroyed 
,  by  wiping  out  that 
ho  informer.    But  if 
n/-':  ries,  a  burning 
Each  was  envious  of 
and  only  fear  of  ex- 
d  good  behavior  to- 
be.  instrumental    in 
■waa  a  dangerous  ex- 
le.    The  la'.y  against 
atlon ;  but  ofifered  no 
jrs  a  protection.    But 
•es,  break  up  the  den 
rty  Injured  to  go  bo- 
■mer.    In  this  fratricl- 
would  bo  broKcu  up; 
I  Jealousy  might  exist 
I  of  their  frauds,  which 
d  on  a  court  of  justice 
leso  reasons,  and  only 
)  rights  of  each  other, 
no  particular  influence 
)  place,  they  were,  as  a 
m  opening  their  banks 
who  were  hand  In  hand 
t  any  outrage  at  their 


SKCON'D-CT.ASS  RKIXTTIXO-nOUSKS. 


223 


bidding.  Just  before  the  breaking  out  of  tlio  rebellion,  when 
political  cxcitPinent  was  engendering  a  hatred  towards  all  per- 
8on.H  of  norllicrn  birth,  some  of  the  shar|)erM  agitated  a  move- 
ment  to  have  all  their  northern  brethren  expelled  from  the  city. 
These  re-sidenl  .sharpers  had  been  conipelleil  to  look  (piietly  on 
for  tlie  last  few  years,  and  nee  others  from  the  North  and  West, 
flttin;,'  up  gorgecms  establishments,  which  far  surpas-sed  their 
own.  The  conse(|iience  wa.s,  that  their  own  business  wan  de- 
creasing, and,  blinded  by  jealousy  .and  rage,  they  tried  to  have 
the  new-comers  driven  from  the  State.  Feeling  ran  very  high, 
jusi  then,  against  all  persons  of  northern  birth,  and  those  who 
inaugurated  the  movement  might  very  probably  have  succeeded, 
had  not  their  activity  in  the  matter  been  viewed  by  a  portion  of 
the  skinning  fraternity  as  a  dodgo  of  the  cxpulsioniata  to  In- 
crease their  own  iiiterest  and  Influence,  an<l  a  .suspicion  that 
when  the  obnoxious  northerners  were  gotten  rid  of,  the  next 
move  of  the  expelling  i^arty,  who  wero  the  wealthiest  .sharpers  in 
the  place,  would  bo  to  crush  them  out,  that  they  might  have  the 
monopoly  of  the  skinning  trade  all  to  themselves.  Nor  were 
their  fears  entirely  groundless,  if  one  may  judge  from  another 
move  on  the  part  of  tho  oxpulsionists,  a  few  months  later.  They 
offered  a  large  sum  to  procure  a  bill,  log-rolled  through  tho  leg- 
islature of  Louisiana,  licensing  gaming,  but  confining  it  in 
New  Orleans  to  three  houses,  each  of  which  three  housea 
should  pay  $75,000  per  annum  for  its  license,  the  nassage 
of  such  a  bill  would  have  thrown  all  the  gambling  In  tho  city 
into  the  hands  of  four  or  five  wealthy  sharpers;  but  corrupt  as 
was  tho  Legislature  of  Louisiana,  at  that  time,  it  dared  not  arouse 
the  just  indignation  of  all  the  decent  people  In  the  State,  by  the 
passage  of  such  a  nefarious  law. 

Self-preservation  and  mutual  jealousy  were  tho  centripetal 
and  centrifugal  forces,  which  held  the  oligarchy  of  sharpers  to- 
gether in  New  Orleans  for  a  period  of  nearly  six  years.  When 
tho  Thugs  wero  driven  from  the  city,  or,  at  least,  the  worst  ol 
them,  this  oligarchy  fell  asunder.  Its  support  was  gone.  Nino 
square  gambling-houses  were  established  in  tho  place  within  a 
month  after  that  event,  and  in  three  months  more  but  three 
skinning-houses  existed  in  tho  city,  and  these  were  not  paying 
their  expenses. 


WAXUKRINOS  OK   A    V.UlAnOND. 


!|i| 


!■' 


I 


cuvrri'.  11   XX. 

SUAlll'EKS. 

It  wouia  scorn  that  the  ^-tain-Ue.!  of  «ll^r  '^;^^; 
tunc  is  tl>o  accumulatum  o    ..       •  J'^  ^  ^     „.,,,„;  ..f  the 

Ireland,  ami  Sctlaml    Las-,    ' ''      ,;,\  ,1,  .,,,(.o(.  .,wn  tho 

entiio  lands  n,  tl.o  .^; '"  ^"\^''^', '  l^";,  ,,,,,,  «ineo,  nhow  lUat  sho 
lation  ..r  Uv.Mt  Untani,  t'^^;^'\  '  '^^^  ?'  rollec-tioi  will  h1u.w  that 
haa  l,0,«),(H)0  i)aupus,  .        .„,„  ^-iiiy   of  want,  .is  nuiny 

In  tho  bacdiRVound  ol  ^'''^  "'''.'''  ,i,"i,J,,,eo  Weallh  is  ll.o 
more  must  bo  cnduvin,'  ^''r,!"  f  a  no  .  <  cruelty.  It  ban 
mother  of  prido,  '^aud,  exto.  mn,  i-U  no^  ^n  l  >  ^^^^.^^ 

divided  mankind  into  «''^;-^'  *  ,  "^^  !"  ...'fu-d  lluMU.pidity 
and..hiUlv.-n  ^^f  i'jf  ^^t;,.^  "  l^hU  mUme,  and  coated 
of  nun,  roused  all  that  ^\^"l^\  i,;,my  por  cent,  of 

schools  for  tho  education  of  tho    ha.       .        .        1  ^,^^ 

the  cultivated  classes  wo.slu  pie  .^^ '        ,  „,  t,.„  ,i,ut3 

brotherhood  of  nvan ;  conse.iu H  ;;^^"  ,,/',;,    i,an  sbarpors. 

of  th,.ir  h^l>o-.t'->;;7  »;;^^^^  ue'  1  and  tare  sunn-tu- 
What  are  the  mynads  -f  I''^^^^'  ;;^„  ^^j,,  '  i„t  shari.ers  /  Or 
ously  every  day  "J"'"  'j"  ^  l^^  ^,X^  uy  fosterin,  "n.an'sin- 
what  arc  tho  hordes  of  huv>us,  nvu  ,       ,,,,„,ertv,  instead 

Uununity  to  n,an,"  and  cc.  usnn^  U>c  n^  t^  <;»  p,^ ,  ^^  ^,^^^^^^^^^^^ 

"Vl"u  iS"'"^.^  u    SaUve  halls  to  give  his  voice  in 
who  linds  Ins  s^        ito  o  r  .^-,  ^^  ,^^^^^  ^^^^.,,,.  ^^ 


I    ' 


MD. 


ill  our  social  ralafor- 
iilcvcr  ciiiiiitry  a  few 
liirger  ixirlinii  of  tlio 
leir  wife.  KiiKlaiid, 
lopilliUioll  of  illtoilt 
.l.oul  '^1),<M)()  own  llio 
iliitiHticsof  till!  i>i>l>u- 

hIuco,  hUow  llial  hUo 
Icc'tiou  will  Hliow  Unit 
y  of  want,  an  many 
ciico.     Wcallh  \>*  llio 

and  cruelty.  It  has 
Dor  a«aiii.Ht   nci^ilibor 

U'liiptfl  the  iniiiitlity 

naluit',  anil  crcatcil 
Ki^lny  por  cent,  of 
I  calf,  and  iRnoro  tlio 
y  pr.oy  upon  llio  vij^lits 
or  lfs.s  llian  Hliaipor.^. 
(oft,  and  faro  Huniptu- 
lor,  but  sharpens  /    Or 
Uy  fo.slerint,'  "man's in- 
lU  of  i)roperty,  instead 
I  cultivated  m-oundrel, 
Us  to  Kivo  his  voice  iu 
^rs  wealth  and  power  to 
any,  is  only  a  sharper, 
dispensiu'.,'  .justito  with 
s  vet  leniently  disi)osed 

So  loni,'  as  the  more 
■mittcd  to  use  all  their 
the  purpose  of  enriching 

human  race  can  expect 
y.  and  "the  beasts  that 
ih  has  becouio  a  virtue, 


nnARi'ERs. 


225 


(Vmid  has  almost  ceased  to  be  a  crime.  "ITad  not  I  seized  the 
pri/.e,  nnolhcr  would  have  done  do,"  Is  the  balm  that  (|uiet.s  tho 
con.Hricntions  scruples  of  the  plunderer.  ('nnsiMiucntly,  swin- 
dlin;,'  and  fiaudnlent  transactions  of  all  kinds  have  become 
cviiy-ilay  occurrences  in  all  brandies  of  trade  and  IniluHlry,  and 
amon.r  all  classes  of  society.  In  tlio  breathless  hurry-scurry 
Hcraiul)ie  for  wealth,  few  iuen  arc  really  strictly  iumest ;  tliey 
salvo  their  consciciico  with  tho  Ihouiijht  that  when  they  have 
aecunuilated  what  riches  they  desire,  they  will  be  so,  but  as  tho 
passion  for  wealth  increa.ses  with  its  accunuilation,  an  nonost 
man  is  altnut  as  hard  to  Ihid  as  "pearls  in  ocean's  midst." 

What  has  caused  all  the  sanguinary  wars  that  have  devastated 
countries,  and  left  them  hopelessly  im|)ovcrishcd  and  enslaved f 
The  desire  of  more  possessions.  Who  brought  about  those  wars 
but  scheming  sharpersf  If  we  except  the  few  noblo  souls  who 
have  seized  tho  sword  in  order  to  free  their  country  from  tho 
chains  of  tlio  oppressor,  like  Spartacus,  tho  (iracchl,  liicnzi, 
Washington,  'i'oiiss;iint  L'Oiiverture.  and  Uolivar,  tho  Rreat  mass 
of  military  heroes,  m  wlioso  honor  jjcans  have  been  miiiK',  and  at 
whose  feet  tho  world  has  fallen  down  to  worship,  have  been 
nothiufx  umro  nor  less  than  a  set  of  cut-throats  and  plunderers. 

Why  then  should  we  be  surpriscl  to  fiiul  the  sharper  plying 
his  trade  nniler  the  ^uise  of  jramblin^'?  It  is  as  natural  to  lind 
him  i)layin(,'  false  cards,  loaded  dice,  etc.,  as  to  find  him  selling 
his  vote  in  the  leui.slativo  halls,  his  decisions  njioiv  the  bench, 
or  buying;  up  tho  necessaries  of  life,  in  order  to  oiu'ich  hhnsell 
upon  tho  necessities  of  his  sniVeriuK  countrymen.  These  crinioa 
are  conmiitted  daily,  ;ind  their  ))erpetrator8  not  only  ro  mi- 
whipped  of  justjee,  but  the  world  considers  them  venial  sins, to 
bo  winked  at  ami  passed  over,  for  they  sit  in  hlKh  places  and 
roll  in  wealth,  j;ivin«  to  their  dear  live  hundred  friends,  sump- 
tuous entertainments  in  8[)lendid  mansions,  built  from  tho  fruits 
of  their  dishonesty.  - 

I'ossibly,  cheating  at  cardo  is  coeval  with  tho  hazarding  ol 
money  or  its  o.piivalent.  That  such  unfair  dealinR  should  be 
viewed  by  tho  fleeced  jtarty  as  criniiual,  is  but  natural,  and  that 
they  should  punish  the  sharper,  if  ablo,  is  also  ipiito  natural,  and 
he  richly  deserves  it.  for  doin<,'  his  work  in  such  a  bunRling  man- 
ner as  to  be  detected;  the  main  object  beinp;  generally  to  wrest 
from  him  tho  plunder,  and,  after  that  is  accomplished,  to  admin* 


t 


5J26  WANDERINGS  OF   A  VAGABOND. 

ister  a  sound  drubbing  to  the  offender.    We  frcqv^'lf  r^J^^^^^ 

d  tooted  sharpers  being  thrown  froni  ^^^f  7«^"\J;' ,";';;  -^ed 

stairs  in  Europe  by  their  -f^^Z!^'^^^^^^^ 
to   l)olieve  that  one  case  of  this  soit  has   '<^^n   na 

before  he  was  aware  of  it,  hnd  hutibeii  acuiib   ^u 
tlvrnwu    oaenl)acli  will  not  allow  Chalcas  to  give  up  but  half  the 
,    ;i,nn  thl^)rince3  of  Greece  detected  their  high  priest  ring- 
"^   u:  TvS  d   e  u  on  the  n   Unveiled  from  the  ruins  of  Pompeii, 
"fv   f      d  S^:  skeletons  of  men  around  a  g-ing-table,  the  ^ce 
S  cia  ohed  in  their  skeleton  fingers,  a  speechless  evidence  that 
hrP^ohuis  were  in  the  habit  of  rattling  the  "  l,larsted  mbs  " 
Prom  the  writers  of  Home  we  learn  that  gaming  was  extensively 
hZged  in  by  all  classes  during  the  empire.    Many  of  the  em- 
^e^^^^Zoiitca  to  have  been  gamesters.    Cahgula  made  o 
hrmUce  a  gambling-house  for  the  nobility.    We  are  told  that 
rK,S  8  hazanied  about  sixteen  thousand  dollars  on  the  throw 
Sal  a Se  sum  in  those  days.    According  to  Horace,  the 
cojng  of  d  ce  was  as  well  understood  in  the  days  of  Augustus 
riafas  it  is  in  the  nineteenth  century:   and  if  many  of  the 
writers  of  the  iLst  two  centuries  are  to  be  credited,  in  their  time 
Tore  harpers  San  dupes  existed  in  Europe.     It  is  a  great  m^- 

S;  «rlbout  the  genuine  sharper  ar^  Ins  mysjerK>us  op- 
erations, than  those  of  the  present  day.  ^^'^'^^^IIZZ, 
troduced  into  Europe,  m  the  early  part  ''f  ^^^f  .f  f  ^^"^^^J'^SS 
there  arose  such  a  rage  for  S^^''^^^  ^'^^^ ^^^ '"''^JZ^  ^^^^ 
did  it  spread  throughout  the  country,  t'^-'^V  tL  v^  niis 
that  all  good  men  should  endeavor  ^«  f^'^^?^^^^  .^J^'/^'^  ;,  .^  a 
VTT  f>f  Prince  issued  an  edict  against  it,  but  it  had  no  entct  lu 
lupinCsS  it.  Many  of  the  clergy  traveled  through  the  country 


OND. 

Ic  frcquoPuly  rcadof 
o\v3  or  kicked  down 

I  am  imich  inclined 
been  magnified  into 
it  would  bo  rather  a 
w  one  of  these  gentry 
3  "little  game."  From 
y  were  but  little  dis- 
1  the  thrower  might, 
;ting  the  role  of  the 
()  give  up  but  half  the 

their  high  priest  ring- 
1  the  ruins  of  Pompeii, 
gaming-table,  the  dice 
)cechless  evidence  that 
g  the  "  blarsted  nibs," 
;amiug  was  extensively 
ire.    Many  of  the  em- 
Bi's.    CaUgula  made  of 
ity.    We  are  told  that 
I  dollars  on  the  throw 
cording  to  Horace,  the 
a  the  days  of  Augustus 
■ ;   and  if  many  of  the 
)  credited,  in  their  time 
ipo.    It  is  a  great  mis- 

their  imagination  for 
le  present  day,  when  I 
ling  the  tables  on  sharp- 
s,  blowing  out  of  brains 
T,  millions  won  by  black - 
ae  two  latter  centuries 
'  and  his  mysterious  op- 
.    When  cards  were  in- 
3f  the  fifteenth  century, 
to  such  a  fearful  extent 
that  it  was  quite  natural 
;heck  the  vice.    Charles 
t,  but  it  had  no  effect  in 
lied  through  the  country 


SHARPERS. 


227 


preaching  against  it ;  but,  as  it  was  as  prevalent  among  them  aa 
among  the  laity,  their  exhortations  had  little  or  no  efl'ect,  nor 
could  legislation  check  its  growth.  The  most  powerful  weapon 
of  the  opponents  of  gambling  was  the  accusation  of  swindling, 
nnd  it  was  used  so  unsparingly  by  preachers,  writers,  and  law- 
makers, that  the  uninitiated,  in  reading  their  records,  are  in- 
duced to  believe  that  nothing  was  to  be  found  in  Europe  except 
gambling-sharpers.  Doubtless  many  existed  in  those  days;  we 
read,  and  know  how  they  spring  up  in  times  of  excitement ;  but 
I  am  far  from  being  disposed  to  believe  that  so  many  ever  ex- 
isted in  any  one  country  at  a  time,  as  exists  at  this  present  day 
in  our  own,  or  that  any  sharpers  eve.  existed  who  were  so  skill- 
ful in  devising  means  of  chea,ting  at  play,  and  putting  their  iirta 
into  practice,  as  those  of  the  present  day.  England  is  the  first 
country  witliin  my  knowledge,  that  passed  laws  making  cheating 
at  gambling  a  punishable  oflense.  During  the  reign  of  Queen 
Anno,  that  law  was  tacked  on  to  an  act  prohibiting  gambling, 
and  as  the  document  is  rather  a  curious  one,  I  quote  from  it,  for 
the  reader's  edification:  "The  statute  further  enacts,  that  if  any 
person  cheat  at  gaming,  and  at  any  one  time  win  more  than  £10, 
he  may  be  indicted,  and  shall  forfeit  five  times  the  value,  and 
shall  bo  deemed  infamous,  and  shall  suffer  such  corporal  punish- 
ment as  in  case* of  willful  perjury."  Since  the  passage  of  the 
foregoing  law,  no  sharper  can  pursue  his  calling  in  all  the  king- 
dom of  Great  Britain  with  impunity.  Should  he  b6  detected  in 
cheating,  while  playing  at  any  game  of  hazard  for  money,  he 
stands  in  danger  of  the  law,  and,  upon  conviction,  may  bo  con- 
signed to  a  felon's  cell.  And  to-day  a  similar  fate  awaits  tho  de- 
tected sharper  in  every  country  in  Europe  worthy  tho  name  of 
civilized. 

In  tho  early  days  of  our  country,  the  existence  of  the  sharper 
was  not  so  pleasant  as  now.  Running  about  the  country  with  a 
fast  quarter-horse  to  ring  in  upon  farmers  and  tho  like ;  hii'Tng 
tho  privilege  of  a  race-track,  and  the  while  being  obliged  to  keep 
a  strict  watch  upon  his  cappers,  dice-coggers,  thimble-riggers, 
two-card  pullers,  strap  players,  trigger-wheel  players,  etc.,  lest 
they  should  sink  on  him— it  was  no  easy  task  to  watch  and  man- 
age such  a  gang.  Nor  were  his  labors  a  whit  less  while  travel- 
ing on  a  steamboat,  with  his  gang  of  strikers  plying  their  calling 
among  the  deck  and  cabin  passengers.    This  lino  of  business  was 


J 


WA^-pEmNGS  OF  A  VAOABO^'D. 

not  in  all  cases  pleasant  while  on  these  excursions  ^lienwotake 
futVcousideiulionthathe  ran cuusider.hle risk ot  bom,  lynched 
oVsot  ashore  in  some  .  ,hl  cuae-hrakc,  should  one  ot  i>'-\";<^^  ^ 
be  caught  iu  the  act  of  chiselinji  some  verdant  passengei.   1  h(.>o 
ro,X  days  for  the  sharper  are  now  over.      Ue  now  may  bo 
Sd  .n  his  gor,^eons  club  house,  surrounded  ^>y  «very  uxmj 
am  attendanc'e  for  which  the  sensualist  nu;,ht  w,sh     Instead  of 
prowling  about  the  country  in  search  oi  v.clnns,  they  -lU  e  ly 
S  op  int^o  hi.  trap,  or  are  roped  in  for  him  by  Lis  BuborduuU  s^ 
Ins  ead  of  being  persecuted  and  driven  from  place  to  plate  by 
S   officers  of  the'  law,  they  are  now  his  friends  and  c^unons, 
and  protect  him  in  his  swindling  operatmns,  or  'f  ""Vi;"/^«  \'^^^^^^ 
are  conveniently  bUnd  to  his  acts     The  '";'"'"'''7;:  J  '^:^^\'^f, 
ho  sprea.ls  draw  around  him  both  the  makers  of  laws  and  their 
cKcSandho  is  more  than  repaid   hy  their  protecnon  and 
the  l^lspectabihty  .vhich  their  presence  adds  to  h.s  house  and 

"TlL  sanded  cards  were  played  out  upon  gamblers,  and  sharp- 
ers were  forced  to  fall  back  upon  greenhorns  lor  «<n>iwv  ,  tl  oy 
could  obtain  more  of  that  stock  by  setting  up  a  shop  and  wa.t- 
Sorthem,  than  by  running  around  the  country  "J  ---^  ;;J 
nrev  At  first  they  opened  small  trap,  m  the  by -street.,  near 
Te^princlpal  hotels,  and  frequently  set  np  their  games  m  heir 
bednn^ms  at  hotels,  whene  their  ropers  brought  hen  Mct.ms 
From  the  opening  of  these  dens  dates  the  marshaling  of  our 
pi-esent  army  of  ropers,  cappers,  case-keepers,  and  artists,  under 
the  command  of  our  leading  sharpers  ,  f,.K^i,i„rt 

For  many  years  the  gamblers  of  this  country  lagged  far  behind 
their  brethren  in  Europe  in  the  fitting  np  of  costly  gambling  es- 
tablishmonts.   At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the  gamb- 
lin-r-hells  of  London  were  fitted  up  in  extraordinary  style.     1  ho 
funiishing  alono  of  Fishmonger's  Hall  is  said  to  have    co.st 
£40  000.     Previous  to  1837  all  the  gambling-romns  m  thiscoun^ 
try  ivero  fitted  np  and  conducted  jmrely  on  the  democratic  pnn- 
ciplc.    Such  articles  as  carpets,  curtains,  or  a  «"»^';^'";»-;^;. y™ 
entirely  unknown  there.     Even  chairs  were  scan-ely  tok.ate  L 
They  wore  usually  located  on  some  back  street  or  alley,  and 
frequently  in  a  cellar.    To  furnish  these  it  only  '•e'l"'^f;    ™ 
chairs,  and  a  few  tables  an.l  benches,  and  to  strew  the  lloor  ^nth 
sand  or  sawdust.  No  liquors  nor  drinks  of  any  sort  woro  furmsh- 


Lii^r^'  ■  ,iat'',.'l^\SO.T ,-' 


S'D. 

jions,  wlicn  wo  take 
kof  \)oiiiy;  lyuched, 
I  ouc  ')niU&lrikoi\s 
I  pa*soiiy,(.T.  Those 
lie  uuw  may  bo 
ed  by  every  liixuvy 
it  wish.     Instead  of 
ctims,  they  (luietly 
)y  his  subordinates, 
u  phico  to  plaec  by 
(Is  and  coini)aint)ns, 
or,  if  not  quite  that, 
nilicent  leasts  wliicb 
rs  of  laws  and  their 
heir  protection  and 
ds  to  his  house  and 

jamblers,  and  sharp- 
iis  for  support,  tliey 
lip  a  shop  and  wait- 
country  in  search  of 
the  by-strcots,  near 
their  games  in  their 
•ouglit  tlieir  victims. 
lO  marslialing  of  our 
jrs,  and  artists,  under 

itry  lagged  far  behind 
if  costly  gambling  cs- 
■nt  century  tliegamb- 
wrdinary  style.    The 
3  said  to  have    cost 
ig-rooms  in  this  coun- 
the  democratic  prin- 
or  a  side-board,  were 
ro  scarcely  tolerated, 
c  street  or  alley,  and 
it  only  required  some 
1  to  strew  the  lloor  with 
any  sort  were  furnish- 


SHABPERS. 


229 


ed  by  tho  proprietor,  except  a  pail  of  cold  water.  Many  of  them 
were,  however,  located  convenient  tosome  rum-mill,  from  wlicuco 
refreshments  could  bo  ordered.  Besides  faro-l)anks,  could  bo 
found  those  of  roulette,  chuck,  vingt-et-un,  etc.  To  these  places 
all  sorts  of  characters  had  entrance  during  ilio  houis  devoted  to 
play,  and  to  preserve  order  at  least  one  bully  was  maintained  oa 
the  premises. 

When  men  wearing  polished  hoots  and  boiled  shirts  wore  too 
exclusive  to  play  in  company  with  the  "  great  unwa.shed  "  at 
faro  or  roulette,  private  games  were  opened  for  their  convenience 
in  the  ht)tel  or  some  other  convenient  place.  As  the  people  grow 
prosperous  their  Hpartan  virtues  gradually  retire  from  tho  field 
and  allow  liixurics  to  creep  in  upon  them.  How  should  gamb- 
lers bo  expected  to  escape  its  insidious  api)roach?  Tlioir  patrons 
demanded  private  rooms,  decently  furnislied,  in  order  that  they 
might  not  be  jostled  by  tho  unclean,  tho  uncouth,  and  the  ruf- 
fianly. The  first  genteel  gambling-rooms  fitted  up  in  this  coun- 
try were  opened  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  under  the  old  license 
law.  These  were  closed  in  1836,  and  shortly  afterwards  a  re- 
spectably furnished  gambling  establishment  was  opened  in 
Richmond.  After  tlio  suppression  of  gambling  in  \e\v  Orleans, 
Mobile  became  tho  favorite  gaming  place  in  the  South  ;  and  as 
early  as  1837  several  finely  furnished  rooms  were  opened  there. 
That  is  to  say,  they  were  furnished  with  carpets,  curtains,  side- 
boards, etc.  The  games  played  in  these  rooms  wero  principally 
faro  and  roulette,  andallgenteel-looking  persons  wore  permitted 
to  play  at  them.  Tho  rooms  in  which  faro  was  secretly  dealt, 
in  the  French  quarter  of  tho  city  of  New  Orleans,  after  gair.bling 
was  suppressed  by  law,  were  usually  fitted  up  tastefully,  if  not 
extravagantly.  Hut  at  tliis  time,  excepting  these  and  those 
mentioned  as  in  Mobile,  aiu'  one  or  two  in  Richmond,  but  very 
few  rooms,  where  square  faro  was  dealt,  weredccently  furnished, 
in  tho  whole  United  States.  Tho  faro-rooms  in  U«i-ge  cities  like 
New  York,  IJoston,  Philadelphia,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  and 
Louisville,  were  of  the  most  jnimitive  description,  located  in  the 
rear  of  some  doggery,  in  by-streets,  and  frequently  in  cellars. 
In  such  places  would  congregate  men  of  nearly  every  grade  and 
calling,  for  the  purpose  of  "  bucking  tho  tiger."  Near  the  close 
of  the  Slexican  war,  gamblers  in  tho  Northern  aiul  Western 
States  bcgau  to  take  an  interest  in  fitting  up,  for  the  accommo- 


^  WANDEHINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

•*'  ^.w.nt'iiiio  fiu'o -rooms. 

a.,„.or  .«W«  -;; -rS^aCl  .0,;  aeauug 
If  tlieso  cities  liad  ^'^"^''"l^^'-^rtis  i  cau  tiucl  ni  eviUcuco  ol 
iZo  games  of ' '-  kiud^eion>   «4  ..^^^^^^^^^  ^^^,.^^^.  ,„  ^ 

tSe  fact;  and  I  ^^''"\  ^^^;';X  ciuciuuati,  and  St.  l.oms.  Ho 
garding  the  cit.os  ot  l;*;^^^;*  ^^^  ,ii  n.^t-clasa  skiuniug-dens 
custom  of  scttiug  meals,  a"^"!'^;;/^/  ,  ,,,ies,  or.gim-ted  under 
and  many  square  ^^%'''l'^l^^"^^^,s.  establishmcats  had 
the  old  license  law  J"  ^^^^^fifaecommodation  of  the  propne- 
their  kitchens  and  tables  to  the  ainners,  with  clar- 

tor  and  his  employes  P'^l  'X,uoon  at  three,  to  which  the 
et  wine,  were  seized  «!  >  '^f^-^^"  manv  of  his  friends  and 
proprietor  was  in  the  hab.t  o    in  <t m  ^^  ^^^^ 

patrons.  After  ^1^°  ^^^PP'^'^.^French  P^^^^^  «f  the  city,  through 
?ooms  run  by  stealth  m  ^^^J/^^^.P,"  \,eh-  guests  gratuitous 
the  connivance  o  the  r«j7^;tom  was  adopted  by  some  of  the 
dinners  and  suppers.    The  custom  ,^^  Baltimore  and 

Mobile  gamblers,  and  f  "^^^'^  ^r,  o 'orating  in  the  Eastern  or 
Richmond.    None  of  the  K^f '^^^.^P^  f^^^^^^^^  previous  to  1855. 

Western  cities  furnished  ^^f  ^^^^^dX'^^^^^^^^  '"^ '''  "'''  "' 
I  believe  the  fir.t  attempt  of  ^^^^^J^^  „„  ,^,  pacific  Coast 
New  York.    None  of  the  l^^'^o  f^*^' ^^    .yuen  Stepen  Whipple 

Tver  set  a  table,  with  ^^^  ;^^'XZ\n  the  cfty  of  San  Francis- 
opened  his  magnificent  ostablu^hmenm  the      y  ^  ^^  ^^^ 

CO,  he  gave  to  his  yX'^^'^^'l^^Tvoom.  no  professional 
finest  kind.  But  ^f  ^^''^^^'"^are  game,  on  the  Pacific 
fSHnrtht^-erroflSSseve^  furnished  meals  to 

^CfiTstfashionableskinning-hous^^^^^^^^^^ 

in  1832,  by  two  ^l^-'-PJ- jX  J,  C^"nd.  as  a  sharper,  stood 
former  was  a  nat^-ve  ^^  ^"™;'  ^^rs  he  conducted  a  f^i^h- 
pre-eminent.    For  more  than  t^««ty  ye  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

Fonable  house  in  Was^.nigton  auj  tuejema         ^^^.  ^^  ^^^^^^^ 

^hich  he  met  must  ^«  f  "J^^^'^f.^^^e  had  st\ll  acquired  the 
Poorly  raised  and  J^'O^-^^  ^^^f '^^  "^^a  a  way  of  ingratiating 
Hianner.  of  a  perfect  e^;;^'^^^^^^^  ^^  those  of  influence  aa 
himself  with  such  wealthy  P«  /^^^he  magnificent  display 
^•ere  devoted  to  Pl=^y^,^f  J^^^^of  uis  table,  which,  for  rare 

t^:^^:^^^^^:^^^^    ^^  *^^^^ -'''-  ^''" 


tJID. 

)cct:iblc  favo -rooms. 

rooms  for  cicaliug 
Uud  m  eviUcuco  ol" 
,y  siil'ely  bo  maiio  ro- 
lud  St.  liouis.  Tlio 
-clasa  sliiuuiug-tlena 
ies,  ongiui'tcd  under 

cstablishincats  had 
[vtioa  of  tbo  proprie- 
;il  dimiers,  with  clar- 
tbree,  to  which  the 
ly  of  his  friends  and 
3C8,  many  of  the  faro- 
n  of  the  city,  through 
le'r  guests  gratuitous 
loptcd  by  some  of  the 
uses  in  Baltimore  and 
ing  in  the  Eastern  or 
trons  previous  to  1855. 
as  made  in  the  city  of 
i  on  the  Pacific  Coast 
When  Stopen  Whipple 
ho  city  of  San  Francis- 
's aud  suppers  of  the 
rooms  no  professional 
e  game,  on  the  Pacific 
ver  furnished  meals  to 

13  opened  in  Washington 
ton  and  Marshall.    The 
and,  as  a  sharper,  stood 
ars  he  conducted  a  fiish- 
remaikable  success  with 
js  own  peculiar  talents. 
3  had  still  acquired  the 
ad  a  way  of  ingratiatmg 
id  those  of  influence,  aa 
The  magnificent  display 
liis  table,  which,  for  rare 
ssedbythoseoftheweal- 


SHARPSRS. 


231 


thicst  in  the  laud,  rendered  his  house,  during  a  session  of  Cou- 
«;refes,  tho  resort  of  the  rich,  the  omiueut,  aud  Ibe  povveriul.  Jlr. 
Marshall,  the  couQdcutial  artist  of  Pendletou,  was  a  ualivo  ot 
Keutucky,  and  I  shall  hero  close  the  mortal  career  of  this  geu- 
tleiiKin,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  by  stating  that  he  made  ten 
fortunes  while  with  Pendleton,  of  all  of  which  he  got  rid,  cither 
by  the  most  reckless  extravagance,  or  bucking  at  faro,  and 
finally  died  a  luiserablc  drunkard  in  his  native  State.  They  also 
planted  Pendleton,  a  short  while  previous  to  the  rebellion,  and, 
though  a  reckless  t',  endthrift,  aud  an  extravagant  liver,  he  left 
to  bis  widow  an  ami*ij  fortune. 

The  success  of  Pendleton's  trap  incited  the  sharpers  of  :\rary- 
land  and  Virginia  to  come  and  do  likewise.  Consequently, 
from  1833  up  to  tb'c  present  time,  the  office-holders,  oUice-'-.ek- 
ers,  lol)bvists,  claimants,  strangers,  and  their  high  mightinesses 
of  both  houses  of  Congress,  have  had  every  winter  from  two  to 
eight  skinning-houses  in  which  to  loaf,  sup,  aud  be  fleeced  of 
their  money,  whenever  they  played  the  unequal  game  against 
the  two-card  box. 

Fashionable  houses  of  this  sort  were  about  this  period  opened 
in  Richmond  and  Baltimore.  From  these  cities  the  sharpers 
extended  their  operations  to  Philadelphia,  where  they  opened 
one  or  more  in  the  summer  of  1830,  but  they  received  such  bad 
treatment  from  the  roughs  and  black-mailers  in  that  city,  that 
they  were  forced  to  abandon  their  enterprise.  Between  tho 
years  1844  and  1845  they  obtained  a  foothold  there,  and  since  that 
period  Philadelphia  has  never  been  without  two  or  more  fash- 
ionable skin  games. 

In  the  year  1840,  an  Irishman  named  Pat  Hcarn  fitted  up,  in 
Barclay  street.  New  York,  a  splendid  suite  of  apartments  for  that 
purpose,  where  he  entertained  his  customers  with  suppers  of  tho 
"bird"  style,  and  "  braced"  them  to  pay  the  expense.  From  the 
b6st  information  I  can  get,  I  believe  this  to  have  been  tho  first  sklfi- 
ning-houso  opened  in  New  York.  Hearn,  before  his  advent  in 
New  York,  was  employed  in  a  notary's  office  in  New  Orleans,  but 
his  profligate  habits  and  passion  of  gaming  caused  him  to  lose 
his  situation.  After  spending  a  year  or  two  loafing  around  the 
licensed  gambling-houses  in  the  place,  the  proprietors  of  one  of 
them  gave  him  a  situation  to  attend  at  one  of  tho  games,  where 
he  remained  until  public  gaming  was  suppressed.    While  there 


if 


232  WANDEEIKGS  OF   A  VAGABOND. 

Uavmg,  \^^'^'^\' ;^'  S\'ii,\vUom  he  came  iu  contact,  and  those 
;;:;:fS"^^^t;M^-nd.I.atnea.n  a  congenial 

Ueam  -^^^J^^^rZ  extravagant  style  until  he 
his  fortunes,  and  lived    u  i  ^^^^^^^^  ^^.^^^^^  j^ter- 

camo  to  New  lork,  ^'^^^^^  ^^  about  twenty  years, 
ruption,  to  carry  on  '^^f ^^  »    "^^r""  ,^,„y  sharps  titled  up  fash- 
Meantinic,  during  that  uiterv^  i.^W         ^^^^^^^j  them  with 

ionable  «k""""g-^-"tsv^  ^elosed'f^^^^^^^  of  patronage,  ^vhile 
various  success.  ^^''"^  ^^J^" '7' eiviu-'  frequei^t  interruptions 
others  were  broken  up  f"^'j  ^^^^.^'^^'f;";  ^ero  compelled  to  close 
from  ^ho  vowdy  element ;  and  "«*  a  lew  we  ^^  ^^ 

,y  the  extortionate  ^-^^^^^ZZ  bis  position,  and 
the  years,  however,  1  at  "«'"";  .      ^..^t.     His  superior 

weathered  every  political  ^^o™-  >>„  «  "^^^^^^^^^  ,,^^1,  fat  subjects 
,opi„g  and  entertaimng  'l^J^'^^^^JIi^^;^  ^'aithy  classes.  His 
belonging  to  the  "^j^''^  "f^J^  ^^^^^^^^  way,  made 

genial  manners,  profuse  li^'^^^l^ty,  ana  ^^  ^^.^ 

Lu  a  favorite  with  ^^-^^^^^^^^ 
till-  r  support,     luc  money  <im.  i  ^  ^j^. 

,,.ib„t»d  among  the  cWo6  of  'I""  I'°''"^/°'"l'^,  ,,,  while  he 
„,.d  him  »S»^J\ -SXZ,^nSd°o  p,ey'„po„  hlc, 

?:i:  ^u  srsr;;;".CHri.»^d  to ..« .. 

widow  about  $W,000.  „„„nnf1  in  New  York,  which 

The  flr.t  sovgeo™  «Ui"»;"S;I'"^»™  Jp^int  located  there,  or 

could  bear  any  compansoii  ■»  *;f  ^,  '''^"'^       ,,,  „  company 

";T  "'  ^Tn  Sr  ™  SSr eSl«t  .as  elrrls- 

?  „r.?"h;cis  p»Jf  .»a^„^;' ■-at  r^.  Tz 

snm  was  expended  ;°  '-^f-fXlSlf  alarge  -hare- 
t^^rX^:^T:ZlTJ:\  h.'.ho>e  attention  ,  .en 

Congress  was  not  in  session. 


S'D. 

auy  of  its  wealthy 
I,  luid  beiug  a  man 
ial  dit-iiosition,  aud 
ibli  huuiur,  be  coui- 
.  conliKt,  and  tboso 
lleani  a  cuiigeuial 

in  the  place  saw  in 
is  lie  Boou  recruited 
igaut  style  until  he 
duiost  without  inter- 
Lt  twenty  years, 
arps  titled  up  fash- 
;onducted  them  with 
t  of  patronage,  while 
equert   interruptions 
ro  compelled  to  close 
police.    Through  all 
ed  his  position,  and 
ro  tact.     His  superior 
den  with  fat  subjects 
wealthy  classes.    His 
f-handed  way,  made 
nd  they  ^avo  to  him 
which  he  secretly  dis- 
force  in  his  ward,  en- 
se  satellites,  while  he 
ricd  to  prey  upon  him, 
lim  within  the  meshes 
s-agant  habits,  at  his 
managed  to  leave  his 

led  in  New  York,  which 
■csent  located  there,  or 
ittcd  up  by  a  company 
stabhshment  was  chns- 
>ported  that  a  fabulous 
fitting  it  up.  It  was 
Q,  himself  a  large  share- 

i  whole  attention  \  aen 


SHARPEES. 


233 


The  house  did  not  at  first  take  well,  and  would  probably 
have  proved  a  failure,  had  it  not  met  with  a  ricli  subject  in  a 
cashier  of  one  of  the  city  banlis.  This  defauliing  gcutleniau 
dropped  in  the  house,  at  varioi-s  plays,  about  $7l»,000.  Expect- 
ing, no  doubt,  to  make  his  losses  good,  ho  requested  Mv.  Pendle- 
ton and  his  associates  to  keep  his  losses  from  tlio  public, 
but  the  "swag"  was  too  big.  The  fir.st  desire  of  a  sharper  is  to 
acquire  money ;  the  next,  to  let  the  world  know  of  his  acquisi- 
tion. The  cashier  was  arrested,  and  his  enii)loycr8  sued  the 
"Crystal  Palace"  for  the  stolen  money.  But  Pendleton  ran 
off  to  Washington  carrying  it  with  him,  aud  the  .sharpers  se- 
cured tlieir  prize,  but,  in  cunscquoncc,  the  "Crystal  Palace"  was 
broken  up  by  the  authorities. 

It  was  about  the  counncnccmcut  of  the  rebr  'ion  that  the  fa.sh- 
ionablo  dens  of  New  York  first  acquired  an  assured  foothold  in 
that  city;  and,  since  then,  they  have  been  able  and  have  bidden 
deflauce  to  tho  attacks,  both  of  the  police  and  black-mailers,  be- 
ing protected  by  tho  higher  city  officials.  During  the  last  decade, 
alftho  proprietors  of  these  places  have  become  wealthy,  though 
always  living  in  tho  most  extravagant  manner.  Several  of  them 
have  cither  country-seats  or  finely  stocked  farms  within  a  short 
distance  of  tho  city,  while  others  live  in  palatial  city  residences, 
supporting  the  most  extravagant  style.  A  few  have  stables  of 
racers  or  trotters,  while  some  are  managers  and  largo  share- 
holders in  some  of  tho  po])ular  race  tracks  around  tht>  city. 

Tho  first  skinniug-housc  of  which  Boston  ever  could  boast, 
was  opened  there  in  1844,  and  conducted  by  a  man  of  tho  name  of 
Lyman  Brittain,  with  tho  assistance  of  three  or  more  other  sharp- 
ers. Their  houses  proved  a  success,  and  induced  others  to  try 
their  fortunes  there,  by  opening  and  conducting  similar  estab- 
lishments. Those  who  failed  did  so  more  from  want  of  patron- 
age than  any  hostdity  shown  towards  them  by  the  authorities. 
In  no  place  in  this  country  have  .such  places  been  better  protecf- 
cd  by  those  honorable  bodies  than  in  Boston,  ilr.  Brittain  run 
his  house  in  Boston  until  about  18G4,  when  ho  went  to  New 
York,  and  identified  himself  with  one  of  tho  most  aristocratic  es- 
tablishments of  the  kind  there. 

Two  years  afterwards  the  wwthy  gentleman  handed, in  his 
chips,  which  di'  strous  event  was  caused  by  sizing  up  too 
heavily  against  the  brandy  bottle. 


234  WANDERINGS  OF  *  VAGABOND. 

I  .avc  already  stated  t.c  — Mn  ^ch^  Z  u'^T" 

followed  tbcir  calling  subsequent  «;^''   ''PJJ^",^,,  ,„,„ucr  in 

mittiug  public  gaxumg  'l^^^^^^^\Zovsiol>.  .ovoC.^o 

wbicb  tbey  kept  '^''\,^^^'l^^ ^.^^^^^^^^  at  tbo  botels. 
tbern  in  by-streets  or  m  tboir  8ie^>iug  ^         ^jgr 

Wbeu  sued  for  tbo  money  or  «l'«"«\^^^jf;,"S  one  and 
was  generally  compronuBed^  .^V'-eUm  migbt  « squeal/'  the 
fears  were  mtertanicd  that  tl^o  ^  "=  ™  ^J  ^^^  ^^y  ^r  a  few 
sharpers  too.  alaUeornversteamei   and  left ^1.0      y^^^^^     ^ 

days  till  the  ^^^^  -^.^^r  buJis  fS  about  twenty  .rs, 
manner  they  conducted  f  <^''^^,":'V^'i.:o„j^mo  skin-game.  The 
without  once  attomptmg  to  open  a  fa  h.onabl^  g  ^^^ 

first  of  the  f'^^  «7;J^^:;irftUTlessee,  named  Allen 
was  supermtcnded  ^7  ashaipei  uom  ^^  ^^^ 

Jones.  The  greatest  care  was  taken  "o^"  '  ;^  barbarians, 
within  the  house  become    know n  to  the  ouu. 

This  institution,  during  the  ^f'^'f^l'^^J^l  Noplace,  having 
$55,000;  ayomrg  Portuguese  Jew  a ba^^^^^^^^^  ^>^^^^^^ 

lost  $30,000  of  the  money.  ./5\f;;!^';i^o^,,and  dollars,  and 
some  of  his  compeers  subscribed  «evemUh«^;„ 
with  it  caused  the  obnoxious  ^^^^i^-S^'  "°  '^.j^i,,,  .^vc  to  the 
its  most  dangerous  and  °^7«/^f^^i^;;f;n8.5  two' additional 
informer  one-half  the  S'^^-  ^^  *^^^;;°f,^  ^o  "dd  dignity  to  the 
ski»ning-dens  were  «P^°f  .l^J^^^S  t^c  most  encouraging 
^^^^  "'  "^ILSrnrXSf^m  nearly  all  pax.s  of  the 
success.    Sharpers  now  S^^"  .    ^^      -^  the  fittmg  up 

earth  to  that  city,  and  vied  ^^h  jach  o^' 
and  furnishing  of  magmficent  5,^;^Jf ^^t   no  finer  tables 
being  at  that  period  ^''^^^^^''^J^/j'^^^^^^^ 
could  be  found  in  the  world  than  ^^^t^  ^^^^^^^^^  ""^h  one  of  these 
these  houses.    ^^  was  con-d^d  a  poo  s^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ,^^^ 

when  it  did  not  clear  $40  000,  '^^^  .""joq  qoq  during  a  single 
known  to  make  in  the  neighborhood  ^'f;'^/^,,,.^,,^  that 
winter.     It  was  durmg  these  Inely  tjmes^   and  Chicago,  but 


Tiffi>*i-'J^*««'- 


"t» 


SHARPERS. 


ass 


yhich   the  sharpers 
)cal  of  the  law  por- 
and  the  mauucr  in 
ickors  to  bo  roped  to 
301118  at  tho  hotels, 
iiforniers,  tho  matter 
was  a  largo  one  and 
night  "squeal,"  the 
loft  tho  city  for  a  fow 
In  this  uudorl'    .d 
about  twenty       irs, 
iblo  skin-game.    The 
3  winter  of  1853,  and 
messee,  named  Allen 
,  to  let  what  weuo  on 
0  outside  barbarians, 
i  for  its  owucrs  about 
or  in  tho  place,  having 
,ng  winter,  Jones  and 
thousand  dollars,  and 
ig  law  to  be  stripped  of 
jat  .which  gave  to  the 
■  of  18.54  two  additional 
J,  to  add  dignity  to  the 
tho  most  encouraging 
nearly  all  parts  of  the 
other  in  the  fitting  up 
hments.    Now  Orleans 
narket,  no  finer  tables 
J  were  nightly  set  out  in 
season  with  ono  of  these 
me  of  them  have  been 
1100,000  during  a  single 
imes  for  sharpers  that 
isville,  and  Chicago,  but 
pport  more  than  ono  or 
believe  that  during  the 
ati  never  supported  less 
iveorsix.    The  sharpers 
)ui8ville,  Nashville,  or  St. 


Louis,  during  tho  war,  these  cities  being  In  a  great  measure 
imdcr  military  rule,  and,  to  tho  credit  of  tho  military  authorities 
be  it  said,  they  showed  no  mercy  to  sharpers,  while  they  in  no 
way  interfered  with  regular  gamblers.  Tho  military  detectives 
found  out  tho  character  of  each  game  dealt  within  their  stamp- 
ing ground,  and  swindling  sharpers  and  their  operators  were  not 
tolerated.  Many  were  anrstod  in  Louisville,  Nashville,  Mem- 
phis, and  St.  Louis,  and  other  places  wlieio  military  authority 
prevailed,  after  they  had  opened  their  houses,  and  some  of  them 
wore  imprisoned  foi-  months,  and  not  a  few  set  to  work  on  tho 
fortifications.  Small  wonder  if,  after  that,  •'  ind  all  tlieir  ilk 
kept  strictly   beyond  tho  power   of  mi'  authority.     But 

scarcely  a  town  orcity  of  any  size  existed,  auring  the  war,  in  the 
East  or  West,  which  did  not  support  a  skin-gamo.  I  believe 
that  Chicago  had  at  no  time  less  than  three,  and  some  of  tho 
time  six  of  these,  which  were  furnished  in  the  most  extravagant 
manner,  and  all  of  which  kept  tho  most  luxurious  tables. 

That  the  reader  may  have  some  idea  of  how  openly  the  swind- 
ling transactions  of  which  I  havo  spoken  are  carried  on,  and  in 
what  a  barefaced  manner  tho  articles  which  I  havo  described 
arc  oflered  for  sale,  I  append  tho  following  copy  of  a  circular 
which  is  publicly  sent  out,  accompanied  by  the  little  book  therein 
mentioned,  containing  fac-similes  of  tho  backs  of  the  marked 
cards. 

[CUT    OP    EAGLE.  ]  ' 

H6  cither  fonrs  hia  fato  too  muob, 
Or  liis  deserts  are  Hraall,  ■,  ■ 

TVlio  daro  not  put  it  to  the  touch, 
And  it'in  or  lose  it  all. 

E.  M.  Grandixe,  41  Liberty  Street,  New  York, 

Manufacturer  and  Lealer  in  Advantage  and  Marked-Back  Play' 

ing  Cards,  by  wliich  you  can  tell  the  size  and  suit, 

by  the  Back  as  well  as  the  Face. 

EVERY   STYLE  OF  BACK  CONSTANTLY    ON  HAND. 

These  cards  are  an  exact  imitation  of  the  fair  Playing  Cards 
hi  use,  and  are  adapted  for  Bluff  or  Poker,  Seven-up,  Forty- 
five,  Euchre,  Cribbage,  Vingt-et-un,  or  Twenty-one,  Loo,  and  all 
other  games  of  cards,  where  knowing  just  what  y(  ur  opponent 
holds  in  his  hand  would  enable  you  to  win.    Square  i;'id  Marked 


fV    .  1 


hi  Mil 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

rards  cut  to  order  for  Stocking  Uauda,  for  every  groao.    Also 
f"o  bot  Lay-out.,  and  Tools.    l^oulotto-NVWs,  K^^ 
Ivory    (ioods,    liougc-et-Soir    or  lied  and   1*1^'^.^'^^""%'^^^ 
ICther  and  Anchor,  over  and  ^uder  Seven    L:gha^^^^^^^^ 
Dice   and  Faro  Clotlis,  and  every  variety  ot  Spoiling  Imple 

ill  L  wn\l  to  favor  mo  w  tli  tlieir  order.    Lspetiaiiy  is 

from  U>«  very  best  »c».mc.l  au  1  "  «» Vl  ''^    ,u,°  will  ,o  sort 

r,;To  of  ta*Lpo.'».»l>lo-l'™l'  acco,.l,auylug,  aud.boy  w,ur» 
forwarded  to  a»i/  address. 

SPECIAL   NOTICE. 

Anv  Of  tliese  goods  ^vin  bo  sent  by  express  C.  0.  D.  (collect  on 
^r^JvvMf  so  desired,  express  charges  at  the  purchaser's  ex- 
deliveij)  If  so  f^^'J^^'  \^^.^^^,,,ic.  0.  D.,  to  the  amount  o 
pcnsc.     "^"^^ /""•'',  „,«,,nn    n   donosit  of  l.'i  per  cent,  must 

SlOOadepositoflOpei  cent.     xn».  ordering,  and 

in  case  the  goods  are  not  taken  by  '^^ ^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
this  rule  will  not  be  departed  from     No  gocul.  sent  t      i  ^^ 

tories  C    0.   D.  in  less  amounts  than  S~5.    urueis 
Amounts  must  be  accompanied  by  the  money^ 

Customers  will  bear  m  mind  that  in  the  "^  .'"^'"J  i*  ; 

where  the  price  of  single  If  J- ^^^  S^-n   th  ^  -     be  sen 
closely  sealed,  postpaid,  for  that  price.    The  price  per  a 
uet;  freight  at  purchaser's  expense. 


lOND. 

)r  every  gftoao.  Also 
D- Wheels,  Keiio-Sets, 
III  Ul.ick,  Uoulotto, 
!vcu,  Eight  and  Tea 
y  of  Sporting  Implo- 

board,  which,  though 
10  Hiuno  pattoruH,  is,  iu 
111!  inferior  to  a  Faro 
to  be  obtained  in  thia 
vo  the  greatest  variety 
Liark  and  Unish. 
heroin  advertised,  are 
ing  goods  for  practical 
•  m-dor.    Especially  is 
ro  Checks.    There  are 
made  from  green,  uu- 
y  worthless.     Especial 
1  my  Checks  are  made 
ality  of  ivory  imported, 
and  using  will  bo  sent 
ish  for  Cards,  state  the 
auyiug,  and  they  will  be 


iress  C.  0.  D.  (collect  on 

i  at  the  purchaser's  ex- 
).  D.,  to  the  amount  of 
iit  of  15  per  cent,  must 
'd,  if  at  my  risk,  and  for 

0  secure  freight  expensea 
10  persons  ordering,  and 
^  goods  sent  to  the  Terri- 
m  $25.    Orders  for  less 

noney. 

1  the  ffdowing  price-list, 
given,  they  will  bo  sent 

The  price  per  dozen  is 


SilAUi'EKS. 


2:J7 


Parties  living  at  a  great  distance,  where  the  express  charges 
would  111'  very  lieavy,  can  have  Uieir  cards  sent  by  mail  by  iho 
dozen  or  half-dozen,  by  remitting,  in  addition  to  the  price  per 
dozen,  $:}  extra  for  postage,  on  oaeh  dt)zen  packs,  and  I  will 
guarantee  safe  delivery. 

I  hol<l  myself  rcsponsihir  for  all  money  sent  by  registered  let- 
ter, aXm  postal  mone if  orders, 

PRICE    LIST    OF    MARKED    CARDS. 

Per  pack,  any  stylo  on  sample  sheet,  postpaid  by  mail,  $1.25 

Ono  dozen  by  ex[)ress  for      ....----.  lO.OO 

Two  dozen  "'        "         "  ........  l^.O'J 

Three  doz.   "        "         "        20.00 

Six  dozen     "        "         "        -.---.-.  480!) 

Ono  gross    '.'        "         "        85.U0 

DEALING,    SQUARE,    AND    ADVAXTAGE    CARDS. 

I'EU  TAIK.      WAX  DOZ. 

Hart's  Linen  Eagle  Faro  Cards,  squared  for  dealing,  $  1 .50  $.1 5.00 
The  same  cut  in  any  form,  either  wedges,  rounds, 

and  straig'ats,  or  end  rounds, 3.00  30.00 

Spanish  Monte  Cards, 75  6.00 

Ordinary  Cards,  cut  for  strippers,  brief,  or  any 

other  style, 1.23  9.00 

Three-card  Monte  Tickets, 1.00  8.00 

Flag-backs,  marked,  per  pack, 1.50  12.00 

Any  of  the  above  cut  for  strippers,  50  cents  per  pack  extra,  or 
$3  per  dozen. 

FARO    BOXES    AXD    TOOLS. 

Square  Dealing  Faro  Box,  German  Silver,  extra  heavy 

silver   plate, $25.00 

Two-card  Faro  Box,  top  sight  tell,  improved  lever,  best 

in  use, 60.00 

Back  up,  second  card  box,  for  Red  and  Blacks,    -    -        35.00 

Card  Press  without  cover, 6.00 

Card  Press  with  slide  cover,  compartment  for  dealing- 
box,  lock  and  key, 10-00 


m 


?  r 


gag  vaNDEBInos  of  a  vauauonu. 

card  Press  BamouH  above  to  hold  a  dozen  packs,  double,  ^    flJ-OO 

Card  I'uucUes,  steel, 

.'      Bllver,  with  binge, '• 

Trimming  Sbears,  double  edged  cutter,^     '         ■         ■       '^^^2 

Kuito,  mnall, ..'.'.'..'       50  (X) 

"     laruo,   ■-''''''      ^  e  (111 

Stripper  Plates,  to  U80  with  knife,  per  sot 5. 

Case-keeper,  Cards,  Wooden  Markers, J^' 

»               Composition  Markers, ^^;;- 

«               Uuest  painted  Ivory  Markers,  *    "     "    J  ""^'^ 

Chock  Racks, _  ^  qq 

"  "      small, ,  "  ri'    ' 

Card  Hox,  to  hold  Checks,  Dealiug-box,  Cards,  Case-^  ^^  ^^ 

keepers.  Curd-racks, .    .  2.C0 

SluiOJing  IJoard, ",    "  ,  "  i '    '     *    '         l  SO 

Ruled  Cue-pupers,  or  Faro  Tabs,  per  hundred,      -    -  J- 

n  *^    «  ^    «-        per  thousand,     -    -    -       •''*•"" 

BROADCLOTH    AND    OILCLOTH    SPREADS. 

Broadcloth  Faro  Lay-outs,  best  quality,    -    •    -    -     "  »     • 

u            i<           "        mounted  on  board     •    •    -  -'•i"^' 

u            «•           "        on  fold-up  board,      -    -    -  28.00 

Enameled  Oilcloth  Faro  Lay-outs,    "    *    "    "    *    '    '  IJJJ 

Broadcloth  Roulette  Lay-outs,  7  feet  ^J /i  douWe,  -    -  50.00 

Enameled  Oilcloth  Roulette  Lay-outs,  3  ft.  by  3  ft.  9  in.,  0.  o 

Red  and  Black  or  Rouge  et  Noir  Cloth,  largo,      -    -    -  ^y^l^ 

«             "      size  Faro  Lay-out, ^^'^^^ 

Eight-Dice  Cloths, '"  oq^^ 

Ten-Dico         "        ,        "ii" 

Feather  and  Anchor  Cloths.     Emblems-horse  head, 

anchor,  feather,  game  cock,  leaf,  and  star,    -     -    -       i"-" 
Mustang  or  Horse  Head  Cloths.  Emblems-horse  head,  ^^^ 

anchor,  club,  spade,  diamond,  and  heart,     -    -    -         ^^^^ 
Sweat  Cloth,  large  gilt  figures,    -    -    -    -    " .  '    "     [        g^oo 

Over  and  Under  Seven, "    "    '  „  . .. 

Different  styles  of  above  painted  to  order,  same  price.  ^^ 
Old  Faro  Cloths  repainted  for     -    -    • 


ym 


icks,  double,  tl4.(K» 

4.00 

lO.(K) 

ys.ito 

ao.oo 

SOW) 

5.00 

12.00 

irj.oo 

'"<  (II) 

crs,  •    -    -    •       ~o.»'>' 

5.00 

4.00 

Cards,  Case- 
50.00 

2.00 

drcd,      -     -    -         1-^" 
saud,     -     -    -       12.00 

OTB    SPREADS. 

$18.00 

board     -     •    -  23.00 

,oard,      -     -    -  28.00 

10.00 

•  4i  double,  -     -  50.00 

ft.  by  3  ft.  9  in.,  10.00 

largo,      -    -    -  1800 

......  14.00 

IC.OO 

20.00 

ns — horse  head, 

ndBtar.    -     -    -  10.00 
inis— horse  head, 

[heart,     -    -    -  lO.OO 

......  5.00 

".'---  5.00 

to  order,  same  price. 
8.00 


SIlAKl'KUd.  230 

F  A  U  U     C  11  K  C  K  S  . 

fiwT        ieconh 

tJL'Al.lTY.       yir.M.iiv. 

1 1 1'K'bM,  plain  ongravlnj(,  per  hundred  -  -  -  (^^.(M).  28. (ct 
UMci  •■  "  "  ...  [\r,m.  :«M)0 
Ij  '•  '•  «  ...  37.50.  la.w 
U  "  fancy  ongraviiiK  **  ...  il',m.  ;i().(KI 
11).  1(1  .'  "  "  ...  a/.5().  ;J2.:)0 
ij  ..  "  '<  ...  4().(M).  ;r..(Mt 
Coiiiitloto  Faro  Kit.s  per  sot, '    $80.00 

Compri.shiK  tho  following:  Extra  heavy  plated  Dealing-box, 
COO  1  i  inch  Composition  Ivory  Checks,  1  Oilcloth  Lay-out,  1  Case- 
koeixM-,  1  Chock  Rack,  and  1  Card  Press. 

Conipo.sition  ivory  Chcck.'i,  per  sot, $30.00 

Per  hundred,  fcr  any  less  than  sot, 0.00 

Tho  above  comprise  in  each  set  OIK)  li  inch  Checks :  300  white, 
200  red,  100  blue,  with  Markers,  Coppers,  and  Splits,  in  neat  fit- 
ting box,  and  the  same  :^  sold  by  other  parties  for  $50  per  set. 

POKER    CHIPS. 

Parties  sending  for  Poker  Chips  will  please  specify  the  number 
wanted  of  each  color. 

Ivory,  size  1  inch,  per  hundred, $10.00 

u       «    li    "         "                12.00 

(I        <<    l|    "          "                14.00 

Composition  Ivory,  U  Inch,  will  size  up 4.00 

Bone,  cut  to  measure  or  to  sizo  up,  I  inch,  per  hundred,  3.00 

.<                   ««                     '<        li    «          <'  5.00 

li                   «                    <•        ij    '«           «  7.00 

II                   «                     «        If    "           ''  9.00 

«                   «                     «<        U    "           "  12.(p 

DICE,     ETC. 

Set  loaded  Dice,  best  Ivory,  9  Dice,  3  high,  3  low,  3 
square ;  warranted  sure,  exact  imitation  of  common 

Dice, $5.00 

Set  3  High  or  Low  Dice, 2.50 

Three  Square,  to  match,    .----.-.••        1.00 


I.  \ 


!     ..I 


* 


it 


240  WANBEIUNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

Feather  and  Anchor  Dice,  i  iucb,  per  set,  SiO  00.  li'^^^^^J^.OO 
Mustaug  or  Uor^ehoud  Dice,  i  inch  "  10.0  •  ^^  ij-^^ 
liox  lor  ihro win-  above  lor  i  inch  Dice  •         2.o0.  1  i-^u 

Roudo  Balls,  ci;rht  m  set,  size  U  inch  -    "    '     "    '    '         g'^j^ 

Eight-sidedTop  Dice,  that  you  can  spin  high  or  low,  and 

force  your  opponent  to  apiu  as  you  desu'e,     -    -    -       ^^-^^ 

Dead  Props  per  set,  9  in  set, .    '.        2.50 

Square  Props,  4  in  set, 

KENO. 

Consisting  of  Globe  and  Stand,  I'roof-board,  100  Cards,  ^^ 

90  boxwood  Balls, ',  ,'       „/i 

Keno,  very  handsome  Onish,  consisting  of  Globe  and 
Stand,  Proof-board,  2u  CMrds,  best  style,  Tally- 
board,  90  boxwood  Pegs,  and  90  boxwood  Balls,       ^^^^^^ 

medium  size, " lOO Oo 

Same  as  above,  with  best  Ivory  BalLs,    -    -    -    -     -  • 

Extra  large  size,  same  as  above,  with  best  Ivory  Balls,     ^  .>.00 

Boxwood  Balls, ^    "    *  2'i  00 

Keno  Cards,  per  set  of  200,    3  rows  figures,     -    -    -  -^-^  "^ 

"    100,   9  "  " {«• '" 

«  «  "      50,  18  "  " J«-^ 

I,     '       u  It   200,    3  ♦'  " *"•"" 

SPECIALTIES. 

The  Sleeve  Machine,  for  holding  out,  or  playing  extra  cards, 
the  most  perfect  piece  of  n'.echanism  ever  inventedfor  this  pui- 
tTcse  This  article  works  in  the  coat-sleeve  noiselessly,  admi  s  ot 
holding  the  hr-nds  in  the  most  natural  manner,  requires  no  lalso 
movements,  r'^d  weighs  about /o«r  ounces.  This  article  isman- 
ufactured  by  no  other  firm  in  this  country,  und  is  guaranteed  o 
be  all  it  is  advertised.  Price,  with  full  directions  for  use  $3o  00. 

ntlit  and  Left  Snap  Roidette  ^Vheel.  small,  for  high  or  low 
numbers,  G  inch  center,  price  $20.00. 

The  Bl-eastworks,  or  "  vest  hold-out,"  concealed  m  vest  front 
and  worked  by  the  foot  with  spiral  coils  and  catgut.     Price 
$25.00. 


;0NI). 


SiO.OO.  liiicb,  $14.00 


10.00.  1  ■• 

14.00 

2.50.  1   " 

4.00 

.     .     -     - 

6.00 

«          -          -          - 

8.00 

U  or  low,  and 

ire,     -    -    - 

2.50 

12.00 

-    .    -    - 

2.50 

d,100  Cards, 

$45.00 

3f  Globe  and 

style,  Tally- 

xwood  Balls, 

80.00 

100.00 

t  Ivory  Balls, 

1?5.00 

100.00 

s,     ■"    -    -    - 

25  00 

18.00 

18.00 

15.00 

sr  playing  extra  cards, 
r  invented  for  this  \nn- 
vo  noiselessly,  admits  of 
mncr,  requires  no  false 
3S.  This  article  is  nian- 
•y,  und  is  guaranteed  to 
rectiuns  for  use,  $35.00. 
,  small,  for  high  or  low 

concealed  in  vest  front, 
)ils  and  catgut.     Price 


BIOGPwAPinCAL  SKETCHES. 


S41 


The  "  Bug,"  a  contrivance  for  playing  an  extra  card,  utterly 
defying  detection,  price  $1.00. 

This  accommodating  gentleman,  after  enumerating  many  more 
articles,  under  the'  head  of  sundries,  but  with  which  we  have 
nothing  to  do,  they  being  articles  in  legitimate  use  in  vaiious 
games,  and  several  books  on  games  and  the  manly  art  of  self  de- 
fense, informs  his  patrons  that  all  his  business  is  confidential, 
and  appends  his  full  name  at  the  end  of  his  circular  with  as  much 
confidence  as  if  the  articles  which  he  advertises  were  an  mesti- 
mable  boon  to  his  race. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

It  has  become  the  custom  of  newspaper  and  magazine  writers, 
when  thoy  have  designs  on  the  pockets  of  some  wealthy  individ- 
ual, to  treat  their  readers  to  a  biographical  sketch  of  the  victim, 
enumerating  his  virtues,  and  endeavoring  to  force  upon  the  world 
at  large  the  idea  that  he  is  a  benefactor  to  his  race.  If  the  sub- 
ject of  their  adoration  be  possessed  of  any  vices,  these  they  are 
careful  to  keep  in  the  background,  and  if  he  has  oppressed  and 
impoverished  many,  while  feathering  his  own  nest,  a  discreet 
silence  is  kept  on  that  point  also. 

These  sketches  generally  commence :  "  Of  all  the  remarkable 
men  of  our  age,"  or, "  One  of  the  self-made  men  of  our  times."  As 
it  is  my  intention  to  marshal  before  my  readers  a  few  of  the  most 
prominent  sharpers  of  the  day,  I  shaii  class  them  also  as  "th^ 
self-made  men  of  our  times."  All  sharpers,  or  nearly  all,  are 
essentially  self-made  men.  Most  of  them  have  sprung  from  the 
lower,  and,  in  many  cases,  the  lowest  order  of  society.  The  ma- 
jority have  not  received  even  a  common  school  education,  and 
not  one  in  ten,  in  their  boyhood,  had  any  moral  training.  Some 
of  them  have  schooled  themselves,  after  arriving  at  manhood; 
but  many  are  entirely  destitute  of  any  education  whatever.  I 
shall  now  introduce  to  my  reader, 


1 1  ii 


;  ^:^ 


f.  .i 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 
MR.    ELIJAH    BKAGGS. 

,     •     1  ir>  thA  hirkwoods  of  "iientucky,  near 
He  was  born  ^nd  ra^d   n  t^e  backwo^^^^^^         booU-learnin, 

tbe  northern  hue  of  leuucssee.    lu  i  \-„(,wled<ve  of  the 

Luk  into  the  veriest  i^^^ig"'^^-"^;;-  'J  j^  ,^  Z^r^^  quarter 
high  arts  of  eard-pUvymg,  ^^^^.^'^orr  in  ^^^h^ 
horses,  andthe  bnteheij^g  of  onesn^^^^^^^^ 

tlfic  manner.  Hero  had  tlio  ^^"'if "'J^,'^^  J-"'"^  ^i.^  bowie-knife, 
and  the  only  law  in  force,  thao  of  ^^^^  ^"J^^^"*^,  *i,tv^^^^  a  small 
The  Skaggs  family,  which  ^^^^.^S  ^f.^f  an A^^^  to 
farm,  from  -^-\^^i;^'''tt  itZlL'.^o..  ambitious 
keep  them  from  starvation.     ^^^  oui>  particular 

Bonl  soared  above  these  ««f  ^^  Pj.'^^'^'^rs^^  Ho  ^as 

genius,  wa«  Elijah,  tbe  subject  of  this  present  se  ^^^ 

I  steady,  sober,  and  industnou  y""^^'  jf  .„3i„,tely  fond  of 
avoided  all  ro^^^^^  eye  ah  uthhu  to  see^vhcro  it 
xnoney.  and  looked  ^^'^^  ^;Zalon^^  about  where  he  lived, 
was  to  be  made.     In  the  r^^i^^  ..aiablaig  than  anythmg 

there  was  more  «^«°«y  ^«  ^4"^j^,f,  "died  the  science  of  card- 
else;  consequently,  young  Skaggs  sUiaieai  .^^giderably 

playing,  and,  a\^«!;?^;,^.;;:'lw'  By.  h^  prudent  habits, 
more  about  a  pack  of  <'.^[*^^/^;^° '^^  he  managed  to  accumulate, 

r'^"^if  the'lVs  t^SiblTabout  two  thousand 
from  among  the  bojs  |»  "'**      °  j-    g^  aspiring  a  youth 

dollars,  a  large  ^"^^^^jS'to  be  xpected  that  so  much 
as  young  Skaggs.  B^V^'.^^' ^g^^^,  half-civilized  settlement 
genius  should  ««f  Jji^^  ^^^^^^^^  times  no!  So  Mr. 

lu  the  backwoods  of  K^entiicKy.   ^i  ^^^^^ 

Skaggs  shed  ^t'^^'l^'''''ll';f^'^^^  He  appeared  in  Nash- 
and  left  the  roof  of  the  Pate™al  Skaggs.  He^^  P  ^^^^^^^^^  ^ 
yiUe,  dressed  in  a  frock-coat  and  pants  oi  ui  ^.^^ 

black  silk  vest  and  Pa^ent  .^^f^^'^^'^^tound^^^^^^^  ^,^,,,,^ 
Btanding  collar,  and  around  his  neck  ^as  ~^        ^^,^  ^-bich 


OKD. 


i  S. 


Is  of  iientucky,  near 
.ection,  book-learuins 
the  knowledge  of  the 
and  running  quarter 
rs,  in  the  most  scien- 
ne'd  a  hundred  years, 
;  and  the  bowie-knife. 
Mie,  cultivated  a  small 
,t  hog  and  hominy  to 
mber  whose  ambitious 
showed  any  particular 
jsent  sketch.    Ho  was 
ho  disliked  strife  and 
,s  inordinately  fond  of 
lit  hira  to  sec  where  it 
about  where  he  lived, 
uQbhng  than  anything 
d  the  science  of  card- 
irs,  knew  considerably 
By  bis  prudent  habits, 
anaged  to  accumulate, 
3d,  about  two  thousand 
for  so  aspiring  a  youth 
expected  that  so  much 
lalf-civilized  settlement 
sand  times  no!  So  Mr. 
a  suit  of  store  clothes, 
He  appeared  in  Nash- 
j  of  black  broadcloth,  a 
oots,  a  white  shirt  with 
8  woimd  a  white  choker, 
ck  stove-pipe  hat,  which 
ted,  and  awkward  frame, 
1  demure  habits,  created 
ed  him  to  be  nicknamed 

jver  changed  his  style  ol 
a,  when  nearly  every  one 


•m»v  }_»]im  M^''Vf 


ingijHj»WMW>i|iwtiiWar  irtj^n 


BIOGRi-PHICAL  SKETCHES. 


S43 


dressed  in  the  rough,  Skaggs  still  held  on  to  his  clerical  style,  and 
his  appearance  in  a  mining  camp  was  the  cause  of  considerable 
stir  and  merriment  among  the  minors,  which  was  only  surpass- 
ed by  their  astonishment  when  ho  proceeded  to  open  a  faro  or 
montebank,  instead  of  a  prayer-meeting,  as  they  had  anticipated. 

Tho  rude  jokes  made  upon  his  personal  appearance,  and  the 
sarcastic  retiectious  cast  upon  his  habits,  passed  Mr.  Skaggs  like 
the  idle  wind  that  blows.  He  wanted  money,  and  he  knew  be 
could  make  it,  by  his  ability  and  industry. 

Ho  soon  discovered  the  inconvenience  of  the  want  of  educa- 
tion, and  the  year  after  that  in  which  he  had  launched  himself  on 
the  world,  hired  a  schoolmaster  to  accompany  him  in  his  travels 
while  in  search  of  faro- players,  and  thus  picked  up  a  good  busi- 
ness education. 

In  tho  meantime  he  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  dif- 
ferent arts  in  vogue  among  sharpers  for  fleecing  the  unwary. 
He  possessed  no  inventive  faculty,  but  luid  a  keen  sense  for  de- 
tecting any  unnatural  deviation  at  play,  and  whenever  his  sus- 
picions were  aroused,  would  watch  for  hours  with  tho  patience  of 
a  sleuth-hound,  never  drawing  on  himself  the  suspicion  that  he 
was  spying  upon  them.  If  successful  in  unraveling  the  mystery, 
as  soon  as  the  game  vas  broken  up  he  called  aside  the  prin- 
cipal sharper  putting  the  trick  in  practice,  n  ^d  forced  him  to 
divide  his  future  play  with  him.  If  unable  to  detect  the  fraud, 
he  tried  to  purchase  the  secret,  and,  if  successful,  when  in  pos- 
session of  it  he  confined  himself  strictly  to  his  room  until  he 
could  play  it  to  his  satisfaction,  and  when  it  came  to  fraudulent 
schemes  for  robbing  players  at  faro,  but  few  better  executors 
than  himself  could  be  found  anywhere. 

It  is  said  that  he  watched  a  sharper  manipulating  "tie-ups  " 
upon  his  customers,  for  several  nights,  without  being  able  to  dis-^ 
cover  the  nature  of  the  trick.  Ho  was  convinced  that  a  decep-' 
tion  existed,  from  the  unnatu'-al  movements  of  the  hands  of 
the  artist  while  shuffling  the  cards ;  but.  more  from  their 
strange  manner  of  running,  more  particularly,  the  last  four  cases 
on  a  deal  losing,  while  the  double  cards  were  winning,  and  this 
occurred  only  when  the  operator  took  a  fresh  pack  of  cards. 
Even  this  knowledge  he  could  make  profitable,  by  betting  on  the 
double  cards  remaining  in  the  box,  at  the  close  of  all  deals  made 
with  a  fresh  pack,  and  thereby  winning  several  hundreds  before 


.i||jfi„ujiii<oiil>J>'iii*iWiJiii<i''«»tf'*'i'  'I  '"i>^.'-"tw  ^*1' 


244 


WANDERINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 


m 


the  sharper  should  drop  on  him.     But  Mr.  Skaggs  scorned  to 
take  such  a  mean  advantage  of  a  brother  sharper;  besides,  the 
trick,  once  in  his  possession,  would  be  a  hundred-fold  more  valu- 
able to  him.     Therefore,  having  failed  to  detect  the  nature  of 
the  fraud,  he  sought  an  audience  with  the  manipulator,  and  said 
to  him,  "  You're  working  on  your  players.    I've  been  for  some 
time  trying  to  find  out  what  you  are  doing.    Now  I  want  to  buy 
that  trick;  you  may  just  as  well  sell  it  to  nie, because  if  you  dim  t 
I'll  follow  you  up  everywhere  you  go,  till  I  do  find  it  out,  and  1  U 
play  against  your  game,  and  on  do^  jle  cards  every  time  I  believe 
they'll  win.    Take  your  choice,  sell  or  take  the  consequences. 
This  argument  being  irresistible,  after  some  haggling  Skaggs 
paid  eighteen  hundred  dollars  for  the  secret,  after  which  ho  se- 
cluded himself  until  able  to  execute  the  trick  to  his  entire  satis- 
faction, when  he  struck  his  tent  and  started  on  iv  trip  through 
the  country,  to  work  his  new  fraud  on  moneyed  gamblers,  and  m 
less  than  two  years  time  he  realized  from  it  about  fifty  thousand 

•ioUars.  *  j    4.    „,„ 

In  this  manner  he  grasped  the  different  arts  invented  at  gam- 
ing, and  skilled  himself  in  the  putting  of  them  into  practice.  Of 
the  numerous  horde  of  sharpers  who  have  battened  upon  suckers, 
I  mean  the  keepers  of  skinuing-houses  and  the  other  capitalists, 
among  them  Skaggs  was  the  only  one  who  could  skillfully  execute 
the  different  maneuvers  with  his  own  hands.  And  also,  unlike 
these  he  would  risk  his  money  on  the  square;  but  always  with 
the  expectation  that  he  would  have  a  shade  the  best  of  it.  In 
one  word,  in  him  was  combined  the  qualities  of  a  gambler, 

sharper,  and  business  man.  

He  bought  the  friendship  of  every  person  who  added  anything 
in  the  way  of  new  inventions  to  the  frauds  already  known,  by 
furnishing  them  with  means,  if  necessarj,  to  perfect  their  inven- 
tion,  or  whenever  the  productions  of  their  brains  were  m  anywise 
usefiil  to  him,  he  put  them  in  practice.    From  among  the  hang- 
ers-on around  faro-rooms,  he  picked  up  young  men  of  genteel 
appearance,  who,  if  they  showed  any  signs  of  ability,  he  educated 
into  artists,  keeping  them  at  close  study  until  he  made  them  per- 
fect manipulators  in  the  science  of  stocking,  and  taking  two 
cards  at  once.    When  satisfied  with  their  attainments,  he  waa 
wont  to  place  them  in  pairs  under  the  supervision  of  trustworthy 
agents,  who  were  generally  brothers,  cousins,  or  some  other  ecu- 


i'^ll 


OND. 

•.  Skaggs  scorued  to 
sharper;  besides,  the 
idred-fold  more  valu- 
detect  the  nature  of 
oanipulator,  and  said 
I've  been  for  some 
Now  I  want  to  buy 
B,  because  if  you  don't 
[lo  find  it  out,  and  I'll 
s  every  time  I  believe 
:o  the  consequences." 
)me  haggling  Skagga 
et,  after  which  he  se- 
ek to  his  entire  satis- 
ted  on  a  tri;>  through 
eved  gamblers,  and  in 
t  about  flfty  thousand 

arts  invented  at  gam- 
hem  into  practice.  Of 
jattened  upon  suckers, 
1  the  other  capitalists, 
could  skillfully  execute 
uds.  And  also,  unlike 
uare ;  but  always  with 
ide  the  best  of  it.  In 
iialities  of  a  gambler, 

•n  who  added  anything 
ads  already  known,  by 
to  perfect  their  inven- 
brains  were  in  anywise 
From  among  the  hang- 
young  men  of  genteel 
3  of  ability,  he  educated 
intil  he  made  them  per- 
cking,  and  taking  two 
lir  attainments,  he  was 
pervision  of  trustworthy 
Bins,  or  some  other  cou- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


245 


nections  of  the  Skagg  family.  These  worthy  mentors  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  localities  where  faro-players  might  be  found, 
and  they  generally  took  charge  of  the  money,  and  attended  to 
the  business  of  the  firm.  It  may  be  here  premised  that  it  was 
only  to  the  most  tried  and  trustworthy  of  hia  artists,  that  Mr. 
Skaggs  c\'er  entrusted  any  money. 

From  the  year  1853  to  1850,  he  had  scattered  over  the  country, 
from  the  lakes  to  the  gulf,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 
as  many  as  twenty  of  these  business  associations,  or  firms,  as  I 
shall  call  them,  for  want  of  a  better  name.  Wherever  play  could 
be  secured,  the  agents  were  instructed  to  hazard  the  bank  money, 
in  all  cases  where  anv  doubts  existed,  that  any  attempt  at  cheat- 
ing might  lead  to  detection.  Consequently,  their  games  pos- 
sessed every  appearance  of  fairness,  even  to  the  most  suspicious 
gambler.  For  more  than  two  years  his  schemes  worked  admirably ; 
but  at  length  the  true  character  of  his  games  leaked  out,  and  a 
hue  and  cry  was  raised  against  them  throughout  the  country, 
i  ill  the  name  of  "  Skaggs'  patent  dealers,"  as  they  were  termed, 
was  a  synonym  among  gamblers  for  all  sorts  of  frauds  and  dis- 
honesty at  the  gaming-table. 

Whenever  Skaggs  was  notified  by  one  of  his  firms  that  the 
bank  was  broken,  or  its  fortunes  at  a  very  low  ebb,  he  immedi- 
ately telegraphed  for  the  members  to  return,  and  sent  out  a  fresh 
installment  to  fill  their  places.  When  the  unlucky  operators  ar- 
rived, they  were  furnished  with  another  stake,  and  started  off  to 
a  new  field  of  labor.  He  was  liberal  to  his  "broken"  artists;  in 
fact,  they  were  seldom  otherwise  than  broken ;  he  furnished  them 
with  banks,  money  to  pay  their  expenses,  and  gave  to  each  25 
per  cent,  of  the  profits  after  paying  expenses.  From  each  bank 
to  which  he  furnished  money,  he  deducted  in  advance  a  yearly 
interest  of  ten  per  cent.,  and  if  his  "artists"  fell  into  his  debt,  he 
took  their  due-bills  for  the  amount. 

He  nnist  during  his  lifetime  have  educated  and  given  a  start  to  " 
as  many  as  fifty  artists,  a  few  of  whom  made  money  for  him ;  but 
by  far  the  greater  part  of  them  betrayed  their  trust.  All  these 
individuals  possessed,  in  common  with  their  class,  a  penchant  for 
fine  clothes,  diamonds,  and  jewelry,  and  were  by  no  means  averse 
to  champagne  and  fiincy  women.  For  the  supply  of  these  tastes 
money  was  required,  and  when  they  had  squandered  their  own, 
the  money  belonging  to  the  bank  was  brought  into  requisition. 


til; 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

SkaM3  was  at  various  periods  concorned  ia  first-class  Pkinnlng- 
houses,  both  iu  New  York  aud  New  Orleaus,  and  also  speculated 
in  mules,  sheep,  real  estate,  aud  bank-stocks.  Ar.  ear  y  as  1847 
he  owned  a  splendid  sugar  plantation,  within  fifty  miles  of  the 
latter  city,  on  which  he  worked  about  two  hundred  as  likely  look- 
ing nocroos  as  could  bo  seen  in  the  State.  He  was  m  every 
sense  a  kind  master,  and  when,  iu  1848,  cholera  visited  that  region, 
he  staid  upon  his  plantation  and  nursed  those  who  were  stricken 
down  by  it,  aa  tenderly  as  if  they  had  been  his  own  children.  Ho 
lost  but  seven  of  his  slaves,  while  neighboring  plantations  were 
almost  depopulated  by  that  terrible  scourge ;  the  ignorant  blacks 
being  left  to  its  .nercy  by  their  cowardly  masters,  who  sought 
safety  in  flight  on  its  first  appearance  among  them. 

About  the  year  1859  he  dismissed  all  his  patent  dealers,  and 
took  no  farther  interest  in  gambling.     The  war  breaking  out 
shortly  afterwards  proved  his  ruin,  the  slaves  berag  emancipated, 
and  his  plantation  and  real  estate  property  greatly  depreciated 
in  value.    At  the  commencement  of  tho  war  he  was  worth  a 
million  of  dollars,  at  its  close  he  was  almost  a  pauper.    The  loss 
of  his  plantation  aud  negroes  did  not  affect  his  energies.    He  ran 
the  blockade,  speculated  in  cotton  and  sugar  in  and  around 
New  Orleans  with  great  success,  and  would  no  doubt  have  re- 
trieved  his  shattered  fortunes,  had  he  not  been  so  strong  a  be- 
Uevcr  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the  Confederacy,     lo  the  last 
moment  he  bought  its  bonds  and  money,  of  which  he  had  in  his 
possession  about  three  millions  when  that  *"«tit«tion  caved  in. 
This  was  the  heaviest  blow  he  had  ever  received  and  he  never 
rallied  from  it.    He  stood  up  to  whiskey  for  relief  and  fought 
manfully  for  over  two  years;  but  it  finally  planted  him  at  la^t. 
He  died  in  Texas  in  1870,  and  I  doubt  if  he  was  possessed  of  a 
dollar  in  the  world,  or  its  equivalent,  unless  it  was  a  few  acres  of 
unsaleable  land  in  that  State.    Peace  to  his  manes ! 

The  ruling  passion  of  Skaggs  was  tho  love  of  money.  When 
worth  a  million  he  would  travel  a  hundred  miles  on  a  stormy 
night,  on  horseback,  if  by  so  doing  he  could  rob  any  one  of  as 
many  dollars  at  cards.  He  would  at  times  take  an  even  hazard 
at  gamthng  with  his  money,  which  fact  placed  him  tar  above  his 
tobe,  who  never  do  so  suicidal  athing.  He  showed  no  traits  o 
g"ne  osityor  liberality  outside  his  own  family  or  ''^riaveA;^ut 
nevertheless,  in  aU  business  transactions,  was  the  soul  of  probity. 


t  ]m 


OND. 

flrst-clasa  Pkinnlng- 
,  and  also  speculated 
is.  Ar.  early  as  1847 
iin  fifty  milea  of  the 
indred  as  likely  look- 
.  Ho  wa8  in  every 
ra  visited  that  region, 
)so  who  were  stricken 
his  own  children.  He 
ring  plantJitions  were 
;  the  ignorant  blacks 
masters,  who  sought 
g  them. 

9  patent  dealers,  and 
lie  war  breaking  out 
B3  being  emancipated, 
ty  greatly  depreciated 
war  he  was  worth  a 
it  a  pauper.    The  loss 
his  energies.    Ho  ran 
sugar  in  and  around 
Id  no  doubt  have  re- 
been  so  strong  a  be- 
bderacy.    To  the  last 
if  which  he  had  in  his 
t  institution  caved  in. 
received,  and  he  never 
for  relief,  and  fought 
y  planted  him  at  last, 
he  was  possessed  of  a 
ss  it  was  a  few  acres  of 
lis  manes ! 

love  of  money.  When 
red  miles  on  a  stormy 
ould  rob  any  one  of  as 
es  take  an  even  hazard 
laced  him  far  above  his 
He  showed  no  traits  of 
family  or  kindred ;  but 
was  the  soul  of  probity. 


BIOGRAPHIC        SKETCHES. 


247 


COL, 


BRYANT. 


This  gentleman  for  many  years  enjoyed  the  honor  of  being 
well-known  in  the  Southwest  and  California.  His  military  title, 
of  which  ho  was  vain,  was,  like  those  of  many  others  in  tlie  South- 
ern States,  a  greatness  thriiPt  upon  him  by  his  towns-people.  He 
was  a  native  of  Lynchburg,  ^'a.,  and  there  received  an  ordiiiary 
education.  Before  he  was  twenty  years  of  ago  he  made  his  bow 
to  the  public  from  the  ring  of  a  traveling  circus,  where  he  per- 
formed on  the  slack  rope,  and  swallowed  a  sword  for  the  delec- 
tation of  iho  audience.  Becoming  tired  of  his  roving  life,  he  left 
the  circus,  took  to  himself  a  wife  and  settled  down  in  Jackson, 
Miss.,  where  he  opened  a  grocery  store.  Subsequently  he  kept 
a  hotel  in  the  same  place.  In  the  course  of  a  year  or  so  he  cast 
this  business  aside  also,  and  began  trading  in  negroes,  and  it  was 
while  pursuing  this  ennobling  occupation  that  he  was  "dubbed" 
a  "Colonel.  It  is  impossible  to  enumerate,  at  this  late  day,  the 
different  sorts  of  business  the  "Colonel"  was  engaged  in  before 
he  threw  them  all  aside,  in  order  to.  devote  his  talents  cxcl'isively 
to  the  green  table ;  but  he  had  always  one  or  more  partners,  and, 
through  some  unexplaned  cause,  a  wrangle  was  the  un^  irying 
result  of  any  attempt  at  settlement  on  the  part  of  the  firm.  The 
consequence  of  which  little  misunderstanding  was  usually  a  law- 
suit, of  which  the  "  Colonel "  had  always  an  unfailing  assortment 
on  his  hands,  from  which  he  always  emerged  second  best.  But 
if  his  partners  "bested  "  him  at  law,  they  gained  no  material  ad- 
vantage thereby,  for  the  "Colonel"  was  sure  to  get  away  with 
all  the  available  plunder,  in  spite  of  sherifls  or  their  auxiliaries. 

Card-playing,  if  I  am  flot  mistaken,  wasoneof  the  "  Colonel's" 
accomplishments  which  he  learned  in  early  life,  though  he  con- 
fined his  efibrts  exclusively  to  poker,  brag,  and  old  sledge,  which 
games  he  played  remarkably  well.  "While  engaged  in  his  differ- 
ent business  operations  he  played  cards  whenever  an  opportunity 
occurred,  and,  having  a  great  veneration  for  the  profession  and  a 
still  more  exalted  opinion  of  his  talents  in  that  line,  he  finally 
cast  aside  all  pretensions  to  other  business,  and  declared  him- 
self a  gambler.  He  was  naturally  a  heavy  better,  and  no  person 
could  be  found  capable  of  winning  more  money  than  he,  if  for- 
tune favored  him .  He  understood  the  advantages  of  display,  and 
spent  his  money  freely  with  those  who  were  rich,  more  especially 


*■  1  ■;!.!- 


'  ,m 


,!  1 


WiNDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

^hen  he  had  designs  on  their  pockets.  He  had  ^^  J,™;^«^ 
than  twenty  men  oucht  to  \^  entitled  to,  ami  wou'd  ol  tani  ^^hat 
criTnd  borrow  what  nu.ney  ho  could,  with  the  predctermina- 
Uon  of  never  paying  a  cent  of  it.  Still.no  man  in  Cah  orma  or 
the  SonthwesL'i  S^tates  had  more  wealthy  and  inQuential  friends 

*1^^r8"dndngTgreat  Mississippi  land  sales,  when  Brandon 
money  was  almost  as  plentiful  as  mosquitoes  in  the  swamps  of 
Louisiana,  that  he  commenced  his  gambhng  career      At  that 
period  ho  knew  nothing  of  tho  arts  of  sharpers.     But  if  hojj^^ 
Slo  to  fleece  the  verdant  fools  who  gave  him  their  conndenc  , 
wUh  a  two-card  box,  he  borrowed  their  money  ""'^'-'^  ^'^"""^ 
7alse  pretenses,  or  induced  them  to  take  an  interest  m  his  gatnes 
and  then  "  throw  them  off."    The  following  anecdote  will  scr^  o 
to  bow  the  character  of  tho  man,  and  the  lengths  he  would  go 
Z  obtain  money.    Charles  Cora,  the  same  that  ^asjiftcrw"g^« 
hanged  by  the  Vigilance  Committee  of  San  Francisco  m  I806, 
w^f  at  the  time  of  the  Vicksburgland  sales,  and  those  of  Jackson 
S    in  18a5-'36,  but  eighteen  years  old.    He  was  an  ignorant 
Sal  an  boy,  and  had  been  picked  up  and  raised  by  a  woman  who 
las  nio  Sper  of  a  bouse  of  prostitution  in  Natchez   A  constant 
freque^^t  r  of  the  low  gambling  dens  under  th^  ^11- 1^«  J«"  ^^"^ 
Seof  the  faro-banks  there  about  $2,0()0.     With  this  mo    7 
STwent  to  New  Orleans  and  won  some  $8,000  more     He  then 
proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  then  the  liveliest  g''^.'"^^f  S  P^^^^*^^"^^ 
the    whole   Southwest.     Gambling  banks   ^^'stcd,  of  various 
kmds,  both  on  the  hill  and  under  tho  hill,  in  log-cabms,  board 
houses,  canvas  tents,  and  in  flat-boats..  Vicksburg  wa.  a  great 
place  in  those  days,  and  Col.  J.  J.  Bryant  was  the  l^^gsest  gam- 
b  er  in  the  place,  being  interested  in  several  foro-banks  and 
varioua  other  banks,  and  was  reputed  to  be  worth  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars.  iw„j„n 

Corn,  on  his  arrival, started  in  rough-shod,  and  soon  gobbledup 
seven  or  eight  faro-banks,  from  which  he  gained  about  $40,000. 
BrvTnt  bdn.^  deeply  interested  in  the  raided  banks,  startod  in 
to  get  ven  Cora  was  an  uncouth  boy,  poorW  versed  in  the  ways 
of  The  world,  or  the  deceptions  of  men.  Tho  attention  paid  him 
by  so  exalted  a  personage  as  Col.  Bryant  flattered  his  vanity  and 
fairly  turned  his  head.  Tho  latter  lost  no  time  in  carrying  into 
effect  the  scheme  he  had  concocted  for  getting  qmts  with  him. 


3JJD. 

had  raoro  assurance 
il  wou'fl  obtain  what 
th  the  i)re(letermina- 
iian  in  California  or 
11(1  influential  friends 

sales,  when  Brandon 
ocs  in  the  swamps  of 
ing  career.     At  that 
pcrs.     But  if  ho  was 
him  their  confidence, 
money  under  various 
I  interest  in  his  games 
g  anecdote  will  servo 
0  lengths  he  would  go 
)  that  was  afterwards 
xn  Francisco  in  1856, 
,  and  those  of  Jackson, 
He  was  an  ignorant 
•aised  by  a  worn  an  who 
n  Natchez.  A  constant 
r  th?i  hill,  ho  won  from 
()0.     With  this  money 
18,000  more.    Ho  then 
est  gambling  place  in 
lis   existed,  of  various 
11,  in  log-cabins,  board 
Vicksburg  wad  a  great 
t  was  the  biggest  gam- 
leveral  faro-banks  and 
be  worth  hundreds  of 

lod,  and  soon  gobbledup 
e  gained  about  $40,000. 
aided  banks,  started  in 
oorlv  versed  in  the  ways 
The  attention  paid  him 
;  flattered  his  vanity  and 
10  time  in  carrying  into 
getting  quits  with  him. 


BIOGBAPUICAL  SKETCHES. 


848 


Ho  stated  to  Cora  that  ho  had  lately  purchased  several  thousand 
acres  of  valuable  land,  which,  in  a  few  days,  he  intended  to  sell 
out,  and  expected  to  realize  from  it  a  million  or  so  of  dollars. 
But  at  the  present  moment  he  was  in  need  of  money  to  meet 
some  small  payments  falling  due,  and  asked  him  for  a  loan  of 
$10,000  for  a  few  days.  It  was  granted  with  pleasure.  Why 
not  ?  The  Colmel's  standing  was  high,  and  his  friendship  would 
be  a  fortune  to  him. 

Bryant  handed  over  the  borrowed  money  to  one  of  his  cronies, 
and  directed  him  to  open  an  unlimited  faro  game  with  it.  To 
this  game  ho  brought  Cora  and  gave  him  a  chanc<  to  win  back 
his  own  money.  I  have  said  before  that  the  Colonel  was  at  this 
time  ignorant  of  any  means  of  cheating ;  but  if  ho  had  possessed 
a  good  artist,  Cora  would  certainly  have  proven  a  bully  subject. 
But  the  best  he  could  do  was  to  borrow  his  money,  and  then 
rope  him  in  to  play,  with  the  expectation  that  he  would  break 
himself  against  his  own  stake.  But  Cora  was  in  a  gale  ot  good 
luck,  and  walked  off  with  the  $10,000  ho  had  loaned  the  Colonel. 
The  latter,  though  repulsed,  was  not  beaten.  He  had  urgent 
need  of  $10,000  more  for  a  few  days,  to  meet  another  payment, 
which  Cora  loaned  as  willingly  as  the  first.  The  same  disposal 
was  made  of  tho  money  as  before.  Cora  was  again  brought  be- 
fore it.  and  told  by  the  dealer  he  could  win  it,  if  so  disposed,  at 
a  single  bet.  He  was  not  quite  so  greedy  as  that,  but  certainly 
did  win  it  in  a  few  deals.  The  day  following,  tho  Colonel  again 
struck  Cora  for  $15,000,  which  ho  also  obtained.  The  money  was 
put  to  tho  same  use  as  the  preceding  $20,000,  and  again  did 
Bryant  entice  his  victim  to  the  bank ;  but  what  was  his  chagrin 
when  Cora  again  walked  off  with  the  $15,000  in  his  pocket. 

It  is  hard  to  tell  how  much  longer  this  little  game  might  have 
lasted,  had  not  one  of  those  meddlesomo  and  envious  fellows, 
who,  in  every  community,  take  such  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
their  neighbors,  got  tho  ear  of  Cora,  and  maliciously  poisonetl 
his  mind  against  tho  wortliy  Colonel.  Cora  demanded  his  mon- 
ey. Tho  Colonel  had  nothing  to  give  'Mm  but  promises, and  ado- 
sire  to  borrow  $15,000  more,  just  to  make  tho  debt  an  even 
$G0,000.  Cora  was  inexorable,  and  insisted  on  having  his  money. 
Tho  Colonel,  in  order  to  rid  himself  of  his  importunities,  sot  upon 
him  one  of  tho  most  noted  desperadoes  of  the  place,  who  man 
aged  to  give  him  such  a  "  healthy  scare  "  that  he  took  the  steam- 


250 


WANDEKINGS  OF  A  VAGABOKD. 


!;!i 


cr  for  New  Orleans,  Immediately.  It  i.s  quite  unnecessary  to  add 
that  ho  novel  received  ouo  ccut  of  the  $35,000  which  he  loaued 
to  Col.  J.  J.  Bryant. 

Previous  to  the  California    excitement,  which    called    the 
Colonel  to  the  raciflc  coast,  he  conlincd  his  operations  to  tho 
States  of  Alabama,  Louisiana,  and  Mississipri.    Durnig  tho  sum- 
mer season  ho  visited  tho  most  frequented  watering  places,  ana 
in  the  winter  spent  his  time  in  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  or  Jackson, 
MississipMi.    At  this  period,   his  inscparal)lo    companion  was 
Allen  Jones,  a  man  whom  I  shall  introduce  to  my  readers  in  my 
next  sketch,    This  delect:  ble  pair  were  acquainted  with  every 
business  man,  sporting  man,  professional  hum,  or  planter,  m  tho 
whole  rcgi.^n,  who  could  play  a  gaiuo  of  cards.    To  such  lats  as 
they  could  sldn  in  a  rough  manner  at  games  of  short  cards,  they 
showed  but  little  morcy,  but  neither  of  tbcra  could  liavo  worked 
a  two-card  box  upon  the  veriest  fool.    This  ditliculty  was,  how- 
ever, easily  overcome,  as  they  knew  the  principal  braco-dealera 
who  made  New  Orleans  or  Mobile  their  stamping  ground  every 
winter,  and  to  their  dons  they  roped  their  fat  gulls  fresh  from 
tho  country  for  skinning.    During  each  session  of  tho  Legisla- 
ture, held  at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  they  ran  a  faro-bank  m  that 
place,  which  was  patronized  by  tho  most  wealthy  and  eminent 
men  of  tho  State,  who  met  there  for  tho  purpose  of  law-making. 
These  worthies  attended  to  their  game  themselves.    NoX  even 
an  artist  would  they  keep,  for  fear  ho  might  become  acquainted 
with  their  patrons,  and  meeting  them  in  New  Orleans  or  Mobile, 
hove  them  roped  into  houses  there,  and  skinned.    The  Colonel 
and  his  estimable  partner  desired  a  monopoly  of  that  business. 

It  does  not  appear  that  tho  Colonel  and  his  partner  had 
accumulated  any  largo  sum  of  money  during  the  time  of  which  I 
speak.  Both  were  extravagant  livers,  both  had  largo  families, 
and  were  fond  of  playing  at  faro,  which,  together,  served  to  keep 
tbem  almost  impoverished.  These  two  worthies  separated  in 
184:»,  and  Colonel  Bryant  sailed  for  tho  Eldorado  to  seek  his 

fortuue.  ,    .     .     ,  „    ,  ,^4/ 

Tho  Colonel  reachou  in  Francisco  eany  in  the  fall  of  iwv*. 
Within  a  few  weeks  after  his  arrival,  he  won,  playing  at  monte, 
about  $75,000.  He  immediately  sent  to  his  family  about  $25,000, 
and  spent  as  much  more  in  endeavoring  to  procure  his  election 
2o  sheriff  in  San  Francisco.    The  gamblers  of  the  place  were  hia 


tD. 

mncccssarj  to  add 
J  which  he  loaued 

(ybich    Ccallcd    the 
!  operations  to  the 
.    During  the  sum- 
itering  pUiccs,  and 
Mobile,  or  Jaclison, 
lo    companion  was 
i>  my  rcatlers  in  my 
iiaintcd  with  every 
1,  or  planter,  in  the 
8.    To  such  tiata  as 
of  short  cards,  they 
could  tiavo  worked 
difliculty  was,  how- 
icipal  braco-dealera 
nping  ground  every 
fat  gulls  fresh  from 
sion  of  the  Legisla- 
a  faro-bank  in  that 
wealthy  and  eminent 
posfi  of  law-making. 
jmsclves.    Not  even 
t  become  acquainted 
w  Orleans  or  Mobile, 
inned.    The  Colonel 
ly  of  that  business, 
md  his  partner  had 
g  the  time  of  which  I 
ii  had  largo  families, 
ether,  served  to  keep 
worthies  separated  in 
Eldorado  to  seek  his 

rly  in  the  fall  of  imi! 
on,  playing  at  monte, 
family  about  $25,000, 
3  procure  his  election 
3  of  the  place  were  his 


JIOOBArUlCAL  SKiii'CUKS. 


IHU 


bitterest  opponents;  not  that  they  disliked  him  porsouuUy,  but 
because  they  cousiilered  hiiu  unlit  fur  llie  ullice.  lie  would, 
however,  in  all  probability,  have  been  elected,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  opi)i)rtuno  arrival  of  Colonel  Jack  Ilays  IVom  Texas,  about 
four  diiys  previous  to  the  election.  The  undtisorvod  laurels 
which  ho  had  gained  in  the  Mexican  war  were  yet  frcih  when 
ho  inaili)  his  api»earanco  in  San  Francisco.  In  the  ontluisiasm 
of  till)  iiKimont,  they  pitted  him  against  liryant,  whom  ho  easily 
del'oateil. 

About  a  month  after  this  disastrous  affair,  ho  opened  in  the 
city  tlie  finest  hotel  whicii  had  ever  been  seen  in  tlie  .State.  Hut 
tho  times  were  out  ot  joint  for  such  a  costly  undertaking,  and 
the  Coloncil  sunk  what  money  he  had  with  him  in  tho  country, 
at  tho  venture. 

Knowing  how  popular  ho  was  with  his  faro-bank  players,  the 
propiief":  of  the  Eldorado  gambling  saloon  in  Sua  Francisco 
put  up  for  the  Colonel  the  largest  far;'-ijank  in  tlieir  house,  in 
which  they  gave  him  an  interest  of  one-third  of  tho  profits. 
This  bank  could  win  or  lose  daily,  on  an  average,  $20,000,  and 
was  0110  of  tho  most  lucrative  games  in  tho  country.  Tho  bank 
continueil  its  success  until  something  more  than  three  months 
had  piussod.cand  during  that  time,  on  each  tri-weokly  steamer 
v/hich  left  for  Panama,  Bryant  shipped  to  his  wife,  in  Virginia, 
his  share  of  tho  winnings  of  the  bank,  and  so  continued  to  do 
until  he  had  sent  about  $30,000.  Finally  fortune  deserted  them, 
and  in  about  six  weeks  the  bank  lost  $50,(HX).  The  Colonel  then 
abandoned  it,  in  spite  of  the  demands  and  entreaties  of  the 
proprietors,  who  insisted  he  should  conduct  the  game  until  it 
won  him  out  of  their  debc. 

After  this  event,  I  do  not  think  tho  Colonel  was  ever  con- 
nected with  another  banking  game,  but  he  played  heavily 
against  both  faro  and  monte  whenever  he  had  money,  which  war 
not  always.  When  broke,  he  relied  on  borrowing  from  business 
men  whom  he  had  known  in  the  States,  and  seldom  paid  them 
back  unless  some  extraordinary  pressure  was  brought  to  bear  on 
him.  As  he  would  scorn  to  strike  his  victim  for  less  than  a 
thousand  dollars  at  a  time,  it  will  readily  be  seen  how  severely 
ho  must  have  punished  his  too-conflding  creditors.  Whenever 
ho  was  successful  in  winning  at  bank  as  much  as  $10,000,  he  at 
once  shipped  it  oflfto  his  wife,  to  whom,  if  his  own  story  be  true, 


Mg  WANDERINaS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

be  Shipped  altogether,  while  la  California,  f  i'».f«;  .™«  ™JJJ 
be  luviLd  freely  ou  his  lm«e  la.nily  ol  -»'*^;  "^  ';'  "''^  ;« 
educatinK  ami  Bupportiug  tlu-m  iu  Iho  most  oxtavaKaiU  st.lo. 
Finally  he  played  hin.self  n.n.pletely  out  iu  Cahforma,  and  ni 
»i.«  vonr  irt.Vi  loft  that  country. 

InlTe  VI  crof  1H58  he  opened  a  Huite  of  .nagnillcent  rooms 

^.  n„l  «  roet  New  Orleans.     The  lUtin-  up  an.l  lurmshmg 

on  Canal  street,  ^^^^"•^J^^^^^^^   ^^^  the  Colonel  did  not  expend 

nfthesc  rooms  coat  about  fin,"""'    in '"  „V  m. 

„;,nl  nn  tlioiH  hut  cot  all  tlils  douo  Oil  tho  slrcugth  of  ills 

one  l'^"»y  ;"  ^J?    •„„"  /  this,  he  borrowed  from  a  prominent 

:5y  ei^bSrt  \:  the  place,  about  |^,(KK)  worth  of  sil- 

dulted     The  two  partners  who  run  the  place  with  him  were  a- 
auctcu.     lu"  I  exercise  a  two-card  box  to  per- 

TTn  a  Id  tte  C  lo  e  h^  a  healthy  opinion  of  himself  as  a 
\ror  was  he  cceted  The  house,  thouRh  not  in  the  im- 
;SSte  V LrnCf  ho  S^^  -de  during  its  first  winter  about 
Turn  TlSch  the  Colonel  received  one-half,  while  the  other 
Jlff'Tak  divided  between  the  two  other  partners.  Mo«n;>' '« 
?iS  CoLe  had  exercised  his  talents  outside  against  dilTerent 
Ja^-banks!  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to  beat  them  out  of  al>out 

•'o'nTwould  naturally  suppose  that  the  Colonel,  beingjsuece^- 
*  1  ™«nirf  nav  those  whom  he  had  induced  to  fit  up  his  bouse  on 
Iredr  Brno!  ir one  cent  would  he  pay;  it  was  entirely 
credit.    »"^  ""•    ,         ,p^   „o8t  any  of  his  creditors  got  was 
rioll?     -ho  got  S  furnLe  bacU  after  it  had  been  used 
SlwiSEv^n  his  wine  merchant  he  cheated,  or  did  not  pay 
n«  h     of'two  tl"ou8and  dollars.    He  never  attempted  to  avoid 
h  «  cred  torrhXo  M  scorn  so  mean  an  action  as  that ;  besides, 
'J^straid  of  any  one.    He  was  a  ^^»;ter  if  ^^^  ^^ 
;o;t» .  i«it  nlwavs  out  off  his  creditors  with,    I  can  i  pay  you 
r;  Ctni  Pa^you  sCrtly."    But  that  shortly  never  came  to 

'^^htroitC'lTe^^emt^ 

dohaJ.  a  suite  of  rooms  opposite  the  3t.  Charles  Hotel.    In  th« 
mtg^mceres^^^^^^^^  the  finest  of  its  kind  ever  seen  in  New 

Srllans,  he  had  three  partners.     His  success  of  the  previous 
Printer  had  Idled  him  with  the  most  extravagant  ideas.    He  im- 


it/ji^'*.-'-;^-tff:-   *^:-.0"VS»-"' 


J 


;),000.   This  money 

,iis  iiud  (liiuglili'r.i, 

oxtiiiViigaiU  Htylo. 

California,  ami  ii» 

magnlftceiit  rooms 
lip  anil  luniirtliing 
louel  «li(l  not  expend 
tlio  Bircngth  of  his 
I  from  a  prominont 
30,000  worth  of  8ll- 

10  Colonel  ever  con- 
icc  with  him  were  as 
wo-card  box  to  per- 
nion  of  himself  as  a 
aouKli  not  in  the  im- 
its  first  winter  about 
half,  while  the  other 
artnors.     Meanwhile 
side  against  dilTeront 
t  thorn  out  of  about 

)nel,  being  80  8UCCCS3- 
to  fit  up  his  house  on 
pay;  it  was  entirely 
Ills  creditors  got  was 
after  it  had  been  used 
eatcd,  or  did  not  pay 
•r  attempted  to  avoid 
ctionas  that;  besides, 
fighter  if  fighting  waa 
with,  "I  can't  pay  you 
shortly  never  came  to 

cost  of  forty  thousand 
Charles  Hotel.  In  this 
,  kind  ever  seen  in  New 
iccess  of  the  previous 
ivagant  ideas.    He  im- 


BioanArnic\L  seetcbbs.  in 

aglnod  that  lie  was  going  to  nialtc  in  his  new  house  one  million 
dollars  rluriug  the  winter,  and  in  tuder  to  outdo  all  the  other 
skinuiug  estahliahiiients  in  tlio  city,  he  wanted  to  have  an  en- 
closed piiHsago  liiiiii  tlie  second  story  of  the  .^t.  Chniles  Hotel, 
leading  across  tlie  street  into  his  skiiming-deii.  Ilisdjjb  house 
cards,  emitiazoned  with  his  name,  he  distributed  aliout  the 
reading  and  bar-roon  a,  and  even  in  tlio  ladies'  parlor.  Hut  the 
proprietors  would  not  consent  to  the  paa.sage-way  ;  neverthelfss, 
his  house  was  nightly  filled,  and  during  tho  winter  robbed  from 
its  foolish  patrons  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 
The  year  following,  murnuns  of  war  began  to  disturb  the  equa- 
nimity of  tho  South.  Money  bccamo  less  plentilul  among  the 
gulls,  even  plantations  worked  by  negro  slaves  could  not  bring  it 
forth  from  Its  hiding-place.  It  began  to  look  rather  squally  for 
the  akinning-dens.  Tho  Colonel  thought  so,  and  disposed  of  hl8 
share  In  the  house  to  his  partners. 

During  tho  war  he  fitted  up  in  Mobile  a  splendid  establish- 
ment, which  ho  ran  succesafiilly  for  about  two  years,  when  it  was 
closed  by  the  military  authorities.    In  this  house  he  made  more 
than  a  million  of  dollars,  which  was,  however,  in  Confederate 
money.    Being  a  strong  believer  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the 
Confederacv,ho  held  on  to  it  until  it  became  worthless.  With  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  New  Orleans  without  a  dollar. 
He  had  lost  one  of  his  sons  in  the  Confederate  service,  and  his 
wife  was  at  that  time  living  with  one  of  his  married  daughters  in 
California.    But  in  New  Orleans  he  found  his  old  friciul,  Allen 
Jones,  keeping  a  fashionable  skinning-shop,  and  ho  extended  to 
the  Colonel  a  helping  hand  for  the  sake  of  "auld  lang  syne," 
and  gave  him  a  half  interest  in  his  business.    Hero  he  remained 
until  the  year  1868,  at  which  time  he  was  killed  in  tho  rotunda 
of  the  St.  Charles  Hotel,  by  one  Col.  Tate,  of  Texas.     He  had 
roped  Tate  to  his  don  and  caused  him  to  be  skinned  of  what- 
money  he  had  about  him.    He  now  asked  for  checks  on  credit, 
which  were  furnished  him;  he  left  the  house  in  its  debt  about  one 
hundred  dollars.    As  he  did  not  return  to  liquidate  his  indebted- 
ness, Bryant,  after  tho  lapse  of  a  few  days,  went  in  search  of  him. 
He  found  him  seated  in  tho  rotunda  of  the  St.  Charles.     An 
altercation  ensued  between  them,  in  the  course  of  which  Bryant 
made  a  motion  as  if  he  were  about  to  draw  a  weapon.    Tate,  be- 
lieving his  life  to  be  in  danger,  drew  a  pistol  and  shot  his  opponent 


I         ■-.-■ 

■  ■-m 


m 


!    .i 


WANDERINGS  OF   A  VAGABOND. 


254 

dead  on  tbc  spot.    He  was  tried  on  the  charge  of  murder,  and 

waa-'alleadbeat     He  bea^^^  ^.^^^^^  ^^^1^ 

^'"/'"'V;"lr  HorsCeducat'ed  and  uncultivated,  possessed 

generous  mann  r  ni  which  ho^  nor^  ^.^  ,eavy  losses  and 

came  m  c  •  "t.  ^«^/  ''^^^^  ^  ',,,,  ^f  frothy  reputation,  on 
^uunngs  1  d  ''^l^ZXLmed  credit  with  the  unwary,  who 
\^V  TwJj^tZTm^^omont  likely  to  handle  large 
''''T'i  S.ey  Hmdreds  of  such  confiding  idiots  found  too 
Sri^rhis  real  Character,  and  cursed  the  hour  m  wh^ch 

,,eyfirstmado  t,e.    ■^^^i:'^:\f-J^^^^^        widows!" 
,  ''TA^iS  ma  i  c  worn  n  as  she  gazed  on  the  bloody  and 
'^1'.  te  of  lloSicrre,  as  he  lay  in  the  tumbril  which  wa^ 
palhd  f^^f  .^f  JS\^  The  curse  was  re-echoed  through 

"^S'^ZyTit^^n^^or,  of  Hohospierre  loved  him,  and 

'^^r  lSl;Si'i^{£  B^nt  had  also  his  redeeming  a^- 
Itir    He  was  generous  and  liberal  to  a  fault  and  thc.mhgent 
Ities.    ^ej;-^  »    . .      .        i       He  would  sell  the  coat  from  hia 
ral^tltTs^g^^inneed.    He  was  the  foe  of  all  cn^y^ 
and  had  plenty  of  nerve  to  oppose  it,  and  d.d  ««  ""ccessfully 
whenever  he  had  an  even  char  o.    He  paid  liberally  those  who 
labored  for  him,  and  never  was  known  to  cheat  a  small  trades- 
man  out  of  his  bill.   With  his  partners  he  was  honest^His  nesro 
Bervaut,  Sully,  lived  with  him  over  thirty  years.    The  ^olonel 
purchased  him  with  his  wife  and  chlldron.  the  latter  of  whom  ne 
caused  to  be  educated  at  one  of  the  schools  in  Ohio,  and  so 
great  waa  the  attarhmont  of  Sully  and  his  wife  that,  J"'J"^tJ« 
reign  of  slaverv.  they  followed  the  Colonel  ^"^^^'^/jfj^^^^^ 
fomla  and  ba^k  a«ain  to  the  slave  States.    However  straitened 


argc  of  murder,  and 

debt  of  n  thousand 
lukiug  ten  thousand 
live  Americauism,  he 
could  who  was  worth 
tsido  his  own  family 
cultivated,  possessed 
liny  boit,  but  his  con- 
[illicultics.  His  extra- 
ics  on  whom  to  prey 
igaut  habits,  and  the 
those  with  whom  he 
lany  heavy  losses  and 
frothy  reputation,  on 
?ith  the  unwary,  who 
ikcly  to  handle  large 
ding  idiots  found  too 
3d  the  hour  in  which 
J.  Bryant. 

rphans  and  widows!" 
sed  on  the  bloody  and 
;ho  tumbril  which  was 
(vas  re-echoed  through 
pierre  loved  him,  and 

ISO  his  redeeming  qual- 
fault,  and  the  indigent 
i  sell  the  coat  from  hia 
vs  the  foe  of  all  cruelty' 
md  did  so  successfully 
aid  liberally  those  who 
0  cheat  a  small  trades- 
was  honest.  His  nesrro 
ty  years.    The  (Holonel 
1.  the  latter  of  whom  lie 
jchoolfl  in  Ohio,  and  so 
Is  wife,  that,  dnrins  the 
5l  and  his  family  to  Call- 
Bs.    However  straitened 


"^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


858 


might  be  his  circumstances— auu  ^o  was  frequently  without  money 
for  wcelvs  at  a  time — ho  could  not  be  induced  to  cell  one  of  his 
slaves,  nor  did  he  fail  to  take  the  best  of  care  of  his  own  family. 
However  hard  pressed  he  might  be  for  money,  his  wife  and 
cbildrcn  were  well  provided  for.  His  sons  and  daugliters  were 
educated  in  the  best  colleges  and  schools;  one  of* the  former 
fell,  fighting  for  the  Confederacy,  while  the  other  is  now  a  prac- 
ticing physician  in  Illinois.  His  three  daughters  all  married 
respectable  men,  one  of  whom  is  an  able  lawyer  of  California. 

The  two  characters  which  I  have  endeavored  to  sketch  for 
the  reader  are  dissimilar  in  habits,  manners  and  disposition,  yet 
each  were  no  less  pirates  on  society.  One  was  generous  and  ex- 
travagant, while  the  other  was  mean  and  stingy.  One  was  a 
fraud  in  nearly  all  his  business  transactions,  while  the  other 
was  the  soul  of  probity.  Both  of  them  would,  however,  hazard 
their  money  at  the  gambling-table  on  the  square,  which  places 
them  as  far  above  the  common  run  of  sharpers  as  the  brilliancy 
of  the  diamond  surpasses  a  piece  of  common  charcoal.  I  shall 
now  introduce  two  other  worthies,  who  are  a  fair  specimen  of 
those  '-iCn  who  are  running  aristocratic  skinning-games  in  our 
large  '-.ities  and  at  our  fashionable  watering-places. 

ALLEN     JOXES. 

This  name  haa  already  figured  in  the  foregoing  sketch,  as 
the  partner  of  Col.  J.  J.  Bryant,  and  I  would  have  spared  my 
readers  any  further  acquaintance  with  him,  had  not  his  unpre- 
cedented meanness  and  his  v  onderful  success  in  the  skinning 
business  rendered  him  conspicuous  among  his  class. 

Allen  Jones  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  a  saddler  by 
trade.  In  the  year  1839,  at  which  period  he  was  about  thirty 
years  old,  he  possessed  a  well-stocked  saddlery  business  in  the^ 
thriving  town  of  Huntsville,  Ala.  Col.  Bryant  on  one  of  his  pre- 
datory excursions  made  his  acquaintance,  and  stripped  him  of 
saddles,  bridles,  money,  and  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  his  pos- 
sessJons  at  the  faecinatinpr  game  of  poker.  Being  the  first  person 
who  had  ever  tronnred  him  nt  that  game,  he  conceived  a  very 
high  opinion  of  the  Colonel's  abilities,  and  petitioned  to  become 
his  traveling  companion.  The  Colonel  mapmanlmously  consented* 
and  for  the  greater  part  of  the  next  decade  they  were  known  as 


# 


256  ^VANDERINGS  OF  A  TAGABOSD. 

tbc  Oreste.  and  Pyladcs  of  tl^e.^-^;^-^ f  tarnity^^^^ 
in  conuKvny,  living  upon  an  ""^ivuled  pm^e  and  Mti^^^^^^^ 
other's  battles.    When  so  great  a  ^^jf  .  '"^^^^.^^^^^^^ 
out  the  land  by  the  discovery  of  g^^'^.trht  infection,  which 

nature  of  Bryant  l»c^^^^P-f  ^'"^  ^„",,  '^   '^^^  ^e S  «^^ 

he  did  in  its  niost  virulent  form^    But  ^b   Prj  t.caW  .^ 

niore  gold  in  the  cotton  l'«d«/^.^^^°^^^™^  of  the 

traversing  stormy  seas  to  jom  m  t^o  J^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^l,  partnership 
millions  who  were  flockmg  to  the  Goldeu  ^^^^-  '        . 

-^r^'^'IS'^^TZf:^^^  .ay,  hutL 
arables  parted,    whether  in  lea  ^„  j  presume 

neither  were  much  given  t«tl^°Xoed  at  iie  final  moment, 
pocket  handkerch^fs  were  not  m^^^^^^^^^  one   since    he 

Jones'  career   had  "^^f*^,*  ,\  _^,»._  ^  ^How  the  precarious 
abandoned  the  h^cst  trad   o^^^^^^^^^^  the  '^tiger,"in 

chances  of  gambling.     ^J^q';^'^^  ^^^      j^^^ 

.inchhe  pretty  generajy^^^^^^  ,Uem  out  of 

impoverished.    Ho  beat  up  '  ^^  .^.^.^  dealers," 

their  money  at  shoit  c'^^^^'  ^^  5"^,  the  fruits  of  his  endeavors 
there  to  bo  skinned,  and  SQ'^^^^^'f  .*j!  *!"^  ^^  jn  the  winter 
at  faro.    Nor  did  he  show  any  sign   of  ^^^^^^^^^  ^,  ,^,  ,,. 

of  1852,  when  he  was  "ff^'-^'^J^^L^o^^^^'rif  he  would  rope 
cretly  conducted  skin-games  of  ^^w  Orlea  s    n  n 

fortlle  concern.  This  offer  ^^^^J^^f^  J^i^^.Tng  made  him  ac- 
he had  led  for  the  last  ten  ^V^^TeS  and  reB^tability  who 
quainted  with  many  persons  of  ^^alth  ana       p  ^ 

iere  fond  of  cards  or  "bucking  tbo  tiger    be  m  ^^^ 

roper.    This  was  the  first  bou>^«  ^^  *^^„  ;"^;^X  his  share  of 
evlr  been  directly  -to-t^^' ^ ^cSfr' ^^^^  bis 

the  profits  amounted  to  about  *\0;"*^'. .  "•^^.  ,.,  ^^  amassed  in 
true  vocation,  and  the  ready  wealth  ^^^^'^J.  ™t\hat  of  Pe^ll^- 
keeping  a  "bird-house"  on  the  same  prmo^pje  as  tna  ^ 
ton's,  in  Washington.  But  it  was  ^angerous  to  mve  ^^^^^ 
sum  of  money  in  such  a  house  as  -t  "^'^^*  ^^'^aT  flOOO  for 
raided  by  the  police,  and  the  fine  for  gambling  was  *  ^^.^^ 
the  first  offense,  and  $5000  for  the  «ocond.  and  on  ^^ 

conviction  the  <i"om  was  two  years  jn  the  ^^^^ 
had  already  passed  the  ordeal  of  the  ^^l^^^'  J       ^.^  offense 
of  faro  in  New  Orleans,  and  '^  ^^f^f  J^J^'  However,  he 
stood  in  danger  of  being  punished  for  telony. 


ternity— fl".7indUng 
and  fighting  each 
IS  caused  through- 
ilornia,  the  erratic 
\G  infection,  which 
radical  Jones  saw 
cm  States  than  in 
3SS  scramble  of  the 
c.  The  partnership 

years.    Tlie  insep- 
able  to  say,  but  as 

mood"  I  presume 
It  the  final  moment, 
jred  one  since  he 
bllow  the  precarious 
(vith  the  "tiger,"  m 

best,  had  kept  hun 
jheated  them  out  of 

to  "  brace  dealers," 
■uits  of  his  endeavors 
•m  until  in  the  winter 
rest  in  one  of  the  se- 
ns, if  he  would  rope 
he  nomadic  life  which 
having  made  him  ac- 
ad  respectability  who 
•,"  he  made  a  capital 
4  in  which  Jones  had 
ha  winter  his  share  of 
Ic  now  discovered  his 

might  be  amassed  in 
ipleasthatofPendle- 
rous  to  invest  a  large 
-ht  be  at  any  moment 
Uling  was  f  1000 Jo^ 
,nd,  and  on  the  third 
the  State  prison,  an 
:  two,  for  dealing  snaps 
,d  of  the  third  offense 

felony.    However, 


BIOGBAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


267 


flung  his  fears  to  the  winds,  and  opened,  with  two  other  sharp- 
ers, a  handsomely  fitted  up  establishment  on  lioyal  street, 
which  proved  a  great  success. 

This  house,  opened  in  the  fall  of  1853,  made,  during  the  ensu- 
ing winter  and  spring,  besides  its  expenses,  something  hke 
$;^,000.     The  following  winter  the  house  was  again  opened,  and 
met  with  better  success  than  before ;  but  an  informer  smuggled 
himself  into  the  establishment  and  caused  Jones  to  bo  mdicted 
for  dealing  faro.    The  first  information  ho  had  of  the  affair,  was 
the  finding  of  a  true  bill  against  him  by  the  grand  jury,  and 
being  hauled  up  and  obliged  to  give  bail  for  his  appearance  in 
court  to  answer  the  charge  of  gambling.    Jones  stood  his  trial, 
was  convicted,  and  sentenced  to  two  years  in  the  penitentiary, 
but  the  Governor's  pardon  was  presented  to  him  before  leaving 
the  court-house.     He  said  he  had  it  in  his  pocket  during  his 
trial.    Be  that  as  it  may,  he  had  made  powerful  friends,  and  at 
the  next  session  of  the  Legislature,  through  the  influence  of  his 
friends  and  money   caused  the  law  against  gambling  to  be 
stripped  of  the  obnoxious  clause  which  gave  half  the  fine  to  the 
informer,  thus  virtually  destroying  the  law.    The  following  year 
the  Know-nothing  party  got  possession  of  the  city,  and,  as  Jones 
soon  proved  himself  one  of  its  ablest  supporters,  he  was  relieved 
from  all  fears  of  further  persecution.    He  now  showed  the  most 
sordid  and  grasping  disposition;  he  owned  his  establishment, 
and  however  many  sharpers  were  there  employed  to  assist,  he 
invariably  claimed  half  the  plunder.    Not  being  satisfied  with 
this,  he  concocted  the  following  scheme  for  robbing  his  partners. 
Whenever  his  wealthy  patrons  desired  to  gamble  in  his  house  on 
credit,     ■  permitted  them  to  do  so,  and  debts  of  this  kind  firom 
thirty  tu  fifty  thousand  would  be  owing  to  the  house  of  a  season. 
These  debts,  or  a  large  majority  of  them,  ho  would  secretly  col- 
lect and  retain  the  money.    Every  winter,  from  1854  to  1860,  ho* 
kept  a  skinning-'house,  and  each  succeeding  winter  had  in  it  a 
new  stable  of  sharpers,  and  of  all  who  served  him,  not  one  ever 
received  one  cent  that  was  duo  the  house  when  they  left  it.    His 
partners  traced  up,  at  difl'erent  times,  large  sums  of  money  which 
he  had  collected,  a  share  of  which  was  rightfully  theirs,  but 
neither  threats  nor  entreaties  could  induce  him  to  disgorge  a 
single  i)enny.    The  only  partner  whom  he  was  never  known  to 
swindle,  was  Colonel  J.  J.  Bryant;  he  was  afraid  to  cut  any  of 


258 


WANDBEINGS  OP  A  VAGABOKD. 

chieftain.     If  one  spark  of 


SScaTo  mli  be  began  »  aecumulate  a  lit.le  money  and 

™rv  It  IB  a  >vo,Lr  l,e  was  uot  uasassiuated.  The  year  previous 
ZS:ZZ,  out  of  .110  war,  be  o^acd  a  «-  P'''-^^'™"  » 
thP  Mississiuoi  River  tweutv-flve  mi.es  above  Vicksburg,  on 
wbich  h  3  ked  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  slaves,  who 
made  in  the  year  1859,  nine  hundred  bales  of  cotton.  Besides 
Ss  he  omied  two  fine  houses  and  lots  in  New  Orleans,  for  one 
of  wlSrrwas  offered  $60,000.  Altogether,  he  must  have  been 
worth  about  $400,000,  all  of  which  sprang  from  the  magic 
recesses  of  a  two-card  faro  box.  j  j  „„ 

In  the  height  of  his  prosperity  the  civil  war  swooped  down 
upon  Wm   and  tore  from  his  grasp  the  large  fortune  he  had 
accumulated  by  the  most  sordid  frauds.    His  slaves  yere  gone, 
but  he  still  retained  his  plantation  and  dty  P-P«;;f '  '^««f^ 
much  reduced  in  value.    Immediately  after  the  city  of  New 
Srieans  again  fell  under  civil  government,  Jones  reopened  his 
Scnrgln?  taking  as  partner,  as  I  have  before  stated  Colonel 
Brvant    But  money  was  scarce,  and  the  wealthy  planters  and 
merchants,  who  were  wont  to  surrender  their  money  so  confid- 
;  '  y  tothe  two-card  boxes,  were  either  dead  or  impoverished 
and  skinning-houses  were  getting,  besides  pretty  well  played 
out  there,  since  several  square  banks  had  obtamed  an  ascendency. 
After  the  death  of  his  partner,  Jones  continued  to  keep  his 
house  open,  but  with  indifferent  success.    He  "ow  conmienced 
Playing  against  the  different  faro-banks  in  the  city,  a  thing  he 
had  not  done  since  the  beginning  of  his  successful  career,  driven 
thereto,  no  doubt,  by  ennui.  In  the  course  of  a  year,  he  lost  what 
moi-ey  he  had  and  what  money  ho  could  raise  by  mortgaging 
his  city  property,  in  all  about  $70,000.    His  plantation  he  had 
made  over  to  his  wife  and  children  at  the  breaking  out  ot  the 
rebellion,  fearia-  that  retaining  it  in  his  own  name  ^ouUl  cause 
it  to  be  confiscated.    This  his  wife  held  on  to,  or  he  would  most 
certainly  have  played  it  off  against  faro     At  the  Present  time 
he  haa  no  more  money  to  buy  chips,  aad  consequently  cannot 


If  oue  spark  of 
Hen  Joues,  it  was 
little  mouey  aad 
utirely  loieigu  to 
eeriug  disposition 
13  to  sucli  a  degree 
le  reign  of  Thug- 
The  year  previoua 
lue  plantation  on 
ve  Vicksburg,  on 
r.five   slaves,  who 
if  cotton.    Besides 
w  Orleans,  for  one 
he  must  have  been 
I  from  the   magic 

rar  swooped  down 
ge  fortune  he  had 
.  slaves  were  gone, 
T  property,  though 
r  the  city  of  New 
Tones  reopened  his 
ifore  stated,  Colonel 
salthy  planters  and 
ir  money  so  confld- 
id  or  impoverished, 
pretty  well  played 
lined  an  ascendency, 
tinned  to  keep  his 
Bo  now  commenced 
the  city,  a  thing  he 
essful  career,  driven 
a  year,  he  lost  what 
aise  by  mortgaging 
is  plantation  he  had 
breaking  out  of  the 
a  name  would  cause 
;o,  or  he  would  most 
At  the  present  time 
consequently  cannot 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


880 


pursue  his  favorite  amusement.  He  has  not  the  general  "  dernier 
resort"  of  his  stripe,  to  open  another  skinuing-liouse,  for  he  is  so 
completely  played  out  that  nobody  would  patronize  his  game, 
and  he  bears  among  those  to  whom  he  is  well  known,  the 
unenviable  reputation  of  being  the  meanest  and  most  sordid 
wretch  that  ever  disgraced  the  fraternity  of  sharpers. 

HENRY    PRICE    M<^GRATH. 

The  reader  will  doubtless  remember  that  this  is  the  gentleman 
who  came  to  New  York  with  Johnny  Chamberlain,  and  of  whom 
I  have  already  spoken  under  the  head  of  ' '  sharpers."  My  object 
in  once  more  bringing  this  "roystering  •  )ve"  to  the  front,  is  to 
demonstrate  to  you  that  good  behavior  and  manners,  suave 
address  and  language,  are  by  no  means  indispensable  to  the 
successful  roper. 

In  no  other  person  with  whom  I  am  acquainted  are  the  vices 
of  fraud,  avariciousness,  insolence,  jValousy,  and  cowardice, 
more  strongly  developed  than  in  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
His  entertaining  qualities  consist  in  being  a  good  eater  and 
drinker,  singing  snatches  of  blackguard  songs,  telling  stories 
decidedly  bordering  on  the  indecent,  and  chattering  learnedly 
on  the  merits  of  various  race -horses— a  subject  about  which  he 
knows  as  much  as  he  does  of  the  method  of  squaring  the  circle, 
or  the  secret  of  perpetual  motion.  It  is  a  strange  phenomenon 
that  such  an  ignorant,  uncouth,  and  unmannerly  loon,  should 
have  succeeded  through  so  many  years  in  drawing  to '  i^  skinning- 
house  such  numbers  of  men  of  the  highest  cu^'i^-;ion  and 
intelligence,  and  making  them  his  victims.  Such  ua.:,  however, 
been  the  case,  and  he  is  one  of  the  most  successful  sharpers  that 
ever  operated  in  this  country. 

Henry  P.  McGrath  was  born  and  raised  in  Versailles,  Kentuc-  - 
ky.  His  parents  were  comparatively  poor,  but  managed  to  give 
their  three  sous  each  a  commonplace  education,  and  teach  them 
each  tl  ^  tailoring  trade.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reli- 
giously iuclined,  and  when  between  twenty-one  and  twenty-two 
years  old  became  a  member  of  the  church.  Ho  soon  ell  from 
grace,  however,  and  gave  himself  up  to  a  life  of  dissipation  and 
idlcress.  He  renounced  psalm  singing  and  the  tailoring  busi- 
ness 8imultaueou8l,y,  shook  the  dust  of  Versailles  from  Ms  feet, 


f 


280  ■WAKDEBIBOS  OF   A  VAOiBOSD. 

camo  initiated  in  the  mysteries  of  a  t^""^^;  ;/^°^'  J^ncton.  Ho 
was  employed  .s  ropev  by  -"-;^;;^';;=^,^fr  H^t^^^^^^^^^      -do 

Lexington,  auu  intimidating  these,  ho  forced  from 

country.    »[  "\:*^;'°^,  uSr  games  without  risking  any  money 
S  Ws^r    fTerrlsX'compiy  with  his  demands  he  pro^ 

sessed  sufficient  ^^^^^  «  displeasure;  because  they  eon- 

rant     ''"«=     """P"  .^  „a,e  the  ray  for  Us  fatare  greatueas. 

populanty.    I"'';^/"^J'„  „/  .^  ,„,scs,  It  being  one  of  the 
Z:Lri'rMcGr,Sr.l,  neve,  tow  anything  ho  contd 


fellow  well  met," 
lero  took  liis  ^rst 
er  by  capping  the 
•s"  around  races 
:ncd  how  to  swiu- 
ar  or  two,  ho  be- 
box,  for  which  he 
iv^  Lexington.  Ho 
laving  on  his  side 
ih  Lexington  was 
lie  made  his  name 
Paris,  Frankfort, 
of  the  blue-grass 
38C,  he  forced  from 
risking  any  money 
is  demands  he  pre- 
heir  gpmes.     Such 
luer  he  publicly  im- 
3  made  it  a  point  to 
players  of  respecta- 
If  popular,  he  pos- 
nm .  patronizing  any 
;  because  they  con- 
s.    After  coramend- 
ther  borrowed  then: 
n  to  the  first  itine- 
be  fleeced.      In  this 
liis  future  greatness. 
y  during  the  summer 
,  gave  him  a  share  in 
■m,  on  account  of  his 
squently  the  case,  he 
,  it  being  one  of  the 
ly  anything  he  could 

mself,  and  the  ready 
10  remarkable  success 
id  skinning  establish- 
[ew  Orleans,  by  three 
dar  was  Mr.  McGrath 


^ 


BIOGllAPUICAL  SKETCHES. 


261 


with  the  "  bloods"  in  the  blue-grass  region,  many  of  whom  visit- 
ed New  Orleans  iu  the  winter,  for  either  business  or  pleasure, 
they  engaged  him  to  rope  for  the  house,  giving  him  au  equal  share 
iu  the  profits  with  themselves.  Their  foresight  redounded  to  the 
filling  of  their  pockets ;  for  Mr.  AIcGrath  proved  to  be  the  best 
roper  in  New  Orleans,  more  especially  among  Kentuckians.  The 
first  year  the  house  made  about  .«.'>0,(MM),  and  every  subsequeut 
one  up  to  18G0  it  made  from  $()(),(MH)  to  i?8().()(H). 

In  the  meantime  McGrath  became  mighty  upon  the  turf.  Ho 
bought  a  stable  of  race  horses  (though  he  seldom  won  a  race  with 
any  of  them),  and  what  with  the  exi)enses  of  keeping  them,  his 
losses  on  the  turf,  combined  with  his  extravagant  stylo  of 
living,  he  could  barely  make  both  ends  meet,  notwithstanding 
the  immense  revenue  derived  from  his  skinnlng-honse.  At 
the  commencement  oi  the  war  he  had  nothing  but  his  share 
iu  the  house,  the  property  having  been  bought  by  the  com- 
pany. I  have  already  related  his  going  to  New  Orleans  to 
prospect  for  opening  his  house  there,  during  the  war,  and  how 
he  was,  in  con.sequeneo,  captured  by  the  military  authorities, 
thrown  into  prison,  and  kept  there  over  a  year.  Also  how,  upon 
his  release,  he  accompanied  Chamberlain  to  New  York,  and  there 
opened  with  a  company  of  sharpers  the  most  magnificent  estab- 
lishment ever  seen  in  that  city.  From  this,  I  believe,  McGrath 
received  as  his  share  about  $200,000,  when  the  partnership  was 
dissolved,  and  himself  and  Chamberlain  withdrew  from  the  con- 
cern. He  invested  his  money  in  a  splendid  farm  a  short  distance 
from  Lexington,  from  whence  he  comes  every  summer  to  Long 
Branch  to  assist  Johnny  Chamberlain  in  conducting  his  magnifi- 
cent "Maison  de  Jeu,"  in  that  place,  of  which  the  reader  has  had 
already  a  full  description. 

He  still  keeps  up  his  stable  oi  racers,  and  at  every  important 
race  meeting  iu  the  country  some  of  them  may  be  seen.  The* 
following  was  copied  from  a  public  print  dated  May  5,  1872,  and 
will  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  princely  manner  in  which  the 
chief  of  sharpers  entertains  his  friends  on  his  splendid  estate  iu 
the  blue-grass  country : 

"McGrath,  of  beautiful  and  princely  McGrathiana,  Sun- 
day last  gave  a  dinner  to  his  many  friends  gathered  at 
Lexington  with  the  object  of  attending  the  races.  Report 
says  the  day  was  lovely  and   the  dinner  was  a  grand   sue- 


1^ 


J 


7&m?'^7iSt^ 


S62 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CC83.      Among  tho  geutlemcu  who  gathered  round  the  tables 
Bpread  on  the  bluo-grass  lawn,  under  tL'e  stately  locust  trees, 
were  Mr.  It.  Ten  Broeck,  of  Louisville ;  ex-<Juveruor  Kobinson; 
A  Keene  Richards,  Esq.;  General  A.  Buford;  GeueralJobn  C. 
Br»;ckinridgc ;    Major  Thomas;  Geueral  Basil  Duke  ;    General 
James  F.  liobinsou,  Jr. ;  Geueral  Wm.  Preston;   Colouel  Kobert 
Wooley ;  Dr.  W.  G.  Chiplcy ;  Hon.  K.  C.  Barker,  of  Detroit ;  Cap- 
tain 0.  P.  Beard;   Victor  Newcomb;   Ganiett  Marshall,  of  Louis- 
•  V  ,. ;  Lieutenant  Ward ;  Mr.  Grcnsted  ;  and  others.  Hospitality  at 
ii.  ,  athiana  is  as  princely  as  the  estate  is  lordly ;  and  it  is  not 
necessary  to  add  that  tho  distinguished  gentlemen  thoroughly 
enjoyod  themselves.    Not  to  know  McGrath  and  McGrathiana 
is  not  to  know  all  the  splendors  of  the  blue-grass  country." 


CHAPTER    XXII. 
NEW  YORK. 

Time,  that  restless  agent  of  Nature,  had  dispelled  the  frosty 
breath  of  winter,  and  brought  on  its  wings  the  balmy  airs  of  May. 
The  trees  were  clothed  in  their  vernal  mantle,  the  shrubs  with 
variegated  blossoms,  and  the  fields  and  lawns  green  with  rich 
pasturage ;  while  myriads  of  birds  of  various  notes  and  plumage 
filled  the  air  with  their  cheerful  songs.  It  had  been  a  long  ses- 
sion of  Congress;  but  already  was  Washington  deserted  by  the 
most  of  its  strangers,  lobbyivSts,  and  ofiBce-seekers,  and  the  re- 
mainder were  fast  leaving  the  place,  with  its  sultry  climate  and 
swarms  of  mosquitoes,  to  its  proud,  pompous,  and  arrogant  den- 

176113 

The  Major  and  myself,  having  sold  tho  furniture  and  given  up 
our  rooms,  were  making  our  final  preparations  to  leave  for  New 
York.  Our  business  during  our  winter  in  Washington  had  been 
but  an  unprofitable  one,  and  to  endeavor  to  make  up  for  lost 
time  and  money,  we  had  concluded  to  try  our  fortunes  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  by  the  advice  and  under  the  patronage  of  one 
Mr.  Phil.  McGovern.  This  gentleman  had,  during  the  past 
winter,  made  several  visits  to  Washington,  from  the  city  of  New 
York,  where  he  resided.  He  kept  a  coffee-house  in  Chatham  street, 


ruuud  the  Ubles 
tely  locust  trees, 
uruor  Itobinson; 

Geucral  Jobu  C. 

Duko  ;  General 
;  Colonel  Kobert 
,  of  Detroit ;  Cap- 
arsball,  of  Louis- 
jrs.  Hospitality  at 
•dly ;  and  it  is  not 
lernen  tborougbly 
and  McGratbiana 
iss  country." 


! 


lispelled  the  frosty 
balmy  airs  of  May. 
le,  the  shrubs  with 
IS  green  with  rich 
notes  and  plumage 
id  been  a  long  sea- 
ton  deserted  by  the 
jekers,  and  the  re- 
3  sultry  climate  and 
and  arrogant  den- 

niture  and  given  up 
IS  to  leave  for  New 
ishington  had  been 
a  make  up  for  lost 
our  fortunes  in  the 
10  patronage  of  one 
1,  during  the  past 
•om  the  city  of  New 
;e  in  Chatham  street, 


NEW  YOKK. 

and  also  belonged  to  the  noble  army  of  New  York  ward  politi- 
ciaus.  While  in  Washington,  Mr.  ilcGovcru  had  honored  us  by 
making  our  faro-rooms  his  loiifiiiff  place.  IIo  Kainblcd  but 
sligluly,  but  drank  lieop.  lie  wa.s,  ad  his  name  indicated,  a  iialivo 
of  tlio  ''  giiu  of  the  say,''  and  a  big  one  too,  as  witness  a  frame 
six  feet  two,  and  proportional ily  stout.  IIo  wore  on  the  front  of 
his  head  a  largo  jovial  red  face,  guiltless  of  beard,  whiskers  or 
mustache,  while  his  poll  was  adorned  with  a  shaggy  crop  of  (lam- 
ing red  hair,  lie  might  have  passed  for  a  man  of  forty,  but  had 
seen  more  years ;  ho  dressed  a  la  mode,  and  at  first  sight  looked 
a  dignified  personage  enough.  Regarding  the  disposition  and 
manners  of  this  worthy,  the  reader  will-  have  ample  scope  f. 
judging  as  we  progress  in  our  narrative.  The  Major  was  ^J  ■ 
witched  by  the  oily  tongue  of  our  now  friend,  and,  after  a  siir.i-t 
acquaintance,  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  he  was  one  c'  ■  ys 
most  noblo  and  generous-hearted  Irishmen  with  whom  1  -  'lai' 
ever  come  in  contact — something  new  for  the  Major,  wuj,  a?  a 
general  thing,  was  by  no  means  fond  of  the  Celtic  tribo.  On  t,u< 
other  hand,  Mr.  McGovern  swore  that  the  Major  was  .i  'thruo 
Varginny  gintlcman  o'  the  rale  ould  shtock,  and  a  cred;  'lio 

Shtato  that  raised  'im,  by  the  powers."  My  suspicious  nature 
was  in  nowiso  aroused  by  the  sudden  intimacy  which  sprung  up 
between  the  pair.  Mr.  McGovern  did  not  seem  much  in  tho  gam- 
bling mood,  and  I  could  not  discern  in  what  other  way  ho  could 
carry  out  designs  upon  tho  Major's  pocket,  supposing  him  to 
have  them.  They  both  loved  their  talk  and  their  toddies,  and 
the  society  of  each  seemed  nearly  indispensable  to  tho  other. 

Mr.  McGovern  informed  the  Major  that  his  frequent  visits  to 
Washington  during  the  winter  were  caused  by  his  great  anxiety 
to  advance  the  welfare  of  his  political  friends,  who  ho  was  de- 
sirous should  receive  a  share  of  the  federal  patronage  of  New 
York  city.  "Damn  a  man  won't  shtand  by  his  friends,  Major ;^ 
that's  me  motto,  me  boy." 

How  far  Mr.  McGovern  succeeded  on  behalf  of  his  friends,  or 
whether  he  ever  had  such  a  benevolent  project  in  view,  I  never 
troubled  myself  to  ascertain.  The  subject  gave  me  no  uneasiness ; 
but  what  interested  me  much  more,  was  the  pains  that  worthy 
gentleman  was  always  taking  to  convince  the  Major  he  was  on 
the  wrong  road  to  fortune. 

"  It's  a  shame  and  a  disgrace,  so  it  is,  that  such  a  fine  gintleman 


i 


O04  WAN-DEUliJaS  OF  A  VAGAUONU- 

dirty  1.UICC,  Major,  and  c.nuo  ^>';>^^  '""^^^^^^^^^^  i,.,,^  York  Nvid  .no ; 
TUodivclagoodyo'lldoho,.at.ll!^^^^^  ^^^^^.^.^^  ,,  yer 

faith,  yo'll  luver  '^^e^f ,    ,;^;^°,  ^  °,,,n  there."    To  these  eon- 

;::.  city,  t.Uung  ^vith  hbn  y^-^^f^^'^^  „,etropoh.,  Mr. 
Withiua^vcokufter  our  a  m.1^2^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^   ,^,,      . 

McGovern  secured  for  us  ^J^^^  "^^  ^  ^  j^,^,^  papered,  supphed 
^Uich  ho  caused  to  bo  plastaed,  ^l-^"  J'^;  ^^^^  „f  ehairs,  a 
^ithafaro.table,aiK>k    -tabc^^a^^^^^^^^     ^^^^^^   ^^^^  ^,,,^^^1 

Bide-boavd,  a  writing  '^^^f' J^  ^rdinarv  description.  When 
articles,  all  of  which  vvero  of  ho  mo^t  ora.n^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^^ 

„s  in  tiio  follo^^ing  strain  :  interested  in  the 

'°.rs.r ":'---- "» — "  -'™"" 

the  Major,  in  a  dignified  tone.  -,-,|ji„„  to  do  wid  ye's!  so 

..Trith.Ibelavoyo's!  ^^^  I' J^^^'^.T'/^f^t"    To-night  I'll  bring 

that  matthor's  done  for,  now  for  tU  n  ^t.  g^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

n.e  friends  and  ^-^^^^^^f^^m^^^^^  Anyhow,  an'  with  fists  full 
are.  Bcgorra,  ye'll  S"'}^  ^'".  f  I""'  -u  ^,et  at  ye's  hot  and  heavy, 
of  money,  divil  a  ho  m  it !  An  t^^^^yj^^^'^;  \^^  jf  j-e'U  lot  'em, 
take   my  word    or  't,  Major  an   bate  jo^  ^^^^^^,^  ^^  ^^^^ 

Ijcgorra!   Howld  *,,^^t     ^owW  a  M  •   h ^^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 
rCne  ?o  ti^f  b'/s :  Ture  \t  '11  look  dacont  on  the 
rT:ronl  point  of  suggesting  something  of  the  kindmy- 
^^KvemSriedhisconversatiouexclusivelytotheM^^ 


i. 

I  a  dirty  r'^acc  as 
many  liiro-pUvyera 

lord.  Lave  lliis 
icvo  to  Now  York, 
s'cw  York  wid  ino ; 

McGovcrn  at  yer 
B."  To  these  cou- 
cd,  and  started  lor 

at  metropolis,  Mr. 
rt  on  the  lJt)\very, 
i  paporcd,  supplied 

dozen  of  cbaira,  a 
ler  rcMiuisito  snuiU 
'  description.  When 

who  had  attended 
vith  a  bill  of  $514, 
[aving  received  the 
roceeded  to  address 

ily  interested  in  the 
wouldn't  for  the  wor- 
gorra,  if  that  was  to 
y,  BO  we'll  kapo  that 

leasiuess,"  answerea 

g  to  do  wid  ye's !  so 
To-night  I'll  bring 
o's  can  see  what  they 
low,  an'  with  fists  full 
t  ye's  hot  and  heavy, 
J  too  if  ye'll  let  'em, 
ire  we  mustn't  do  the 
,vo  or  three  baskets  o' 

II  look  dacent  on  the 

hing  of  the  kind  my- 
;clusively  to  the  Major, 


NEW  TOIIK. 


865 


and  never  by  word  or  look  acknowledged  my  presence.  It  ia 
true  ho  used  the  pluiul  "yo'.s,' und  opi-iicd  baniuess  by  Baying, 
"  V.'o'll  all  bo  aqually  interested,"  etc. ;  but  otherwise  had  paid 
mo  no  more  attention  tlian  if  I  were  one  of  tlie  chairs  or  tables. 

TheAIajor  listened  with  profound  attention  to  his  remarks  and 
ackuowli'dgcd  the  wi.sdom  of  his  .suggestions  and  instructiims, 
by  .sundry  nods  and  remarks  of  "  Very  good,  sir,  "  and  concludcil 
by  saying,  "  We  shall  endeavor  to  obey  your  instructions,  sir,  as 
you  are  undoubtedly  the  be.st  judge  of  the  manner  in  which  your 
town's-jjoople  should  bo  treated." 

"  Lave  mo  alone  for  that.  Major,  mo  b'y.  Sure  I  know  ivcry 
mother's  son  o'  them,  an'  can  do  as  I  plazo  wid  'em." 

"  How  much  bank  money  shall  we  recpiire,  Mr.  McGovcrn  f "  I 
inquired,  for  the  first  time  putting  in  my  oar  into  the  conversa- 
tion. 

"That  '11  bo  a  schmall  affair.  Three  or  four  thousand  or  the 
likes  o'  that  '11  be  lasbins,"  he  replied. 

"  Very  good  !  And  as  wo  are  going  to  open  the  bank  to-night, 
let  us  make  up  our  banking  money  now,"  I  answered. 

"  Go  on  wid  the  money  ye  have  wid  ye's,  an'  whin  yc'a  nado 
more,  ye'll  find  the  check  o'  Phil  McGovem  as  good  at  the 
Bank  of  America  for  $.'>,000  as  ould  Asthoi's!" 

"That's  all  right,  Mr.  McGovern,"  said  the  Major,  darting 
a  savage  look  at  mo;  then  bowing  to  McGovern,  ho  said, 
"  Sufficient,  sir,  among  gentlemen." 

"  Faith,  none  knows  the  likes  o'  them  better  nor  yoursel, 
Major,  an'  that  the  dirthy  subject  o'  money  shouldn't  bo 
mintioned  betwixt  and  betwano  'em,  till  the  article's  naded,  any  • 
how.  So  now  I'll  lave  ye's  an'  order  the  wine,  an'  in  the  aveniu' 
I'll  bring  up  me  frinds  to  drink  it,"  and  bowing  to  the  Major, 
he  left  the  room  with  a  lofty  stride. 

When  he  had  left  I  paced  up  and  down  the  room  for  some 
time,  meditating  on  tho  sublime  heights  to  which  human  im- 
pudence may  rise.  At  last  I  suddenly  stopped  in  my  exorcise 
before  tho  Major,  and  addressed  him  with,  "Major,  this  seems 
to  me  to  be  a  very  loose  way  of  transacting  business,  sir.  We 
don't  know  what  kind  of  a  game  we  may  have  to  deal,  nor  how 
much  money  it  will  require  to  bank  it,  or  if  it  should  lose,  whether 
Mr.  McGovern  will  pay  his  share  of  tho  losses." 
"Jack,  you're  always  finding  bears  and  lions  in  the  way. 


> 

I 


206 


WANDEUIN08  OF  A  VAOABOND. 


YouTo  to(.  BUsplciuuH  to  clottl  with  gentlemen,  sir.  Mr.  McGovern 
l8  a  L'cutlomau,  sir,  and  of  the  bigheat  standing  in  this  city,  and 
wore  be  iucliued  to  commit  a  dishonorablo  action,  sir,  towards  us 
hero,  Uo  could  not  aflor.l  to  do  so.  We  nee.l  his  ass;  tanco  to 
procuro  customers,  and  also  to  protect  our  game,  and  'twould  bo 
impoHHlblo  for  us  to  get  on  without  him.  But  to  relievo  your 
anxiety  I'll  hold  myself  resix.nsil.lo  for  his  share  of  tho  bank 
money  .Ir;  will  that  bo  saliafaclory f "  domauded  tho  Major, 
with  some  asperity. 
"Certainly,  Major,  but— " 

"  Very  good,  sir !  Now,  sir,  as  wo  are  in  a  strange  plane  and 
among  strange  people,  let's  try  and  get.  along  as  smoothly  as 
possible,  sir,"  he  said,  peevishly.  ,  .      .  ^ 

"  You  can't  go  very  far  amiss  in  keeping  a  strict  watch  npon 
Btrangors  with  whom  you  are  ccmcorned  in  money  transactions, 
and  when  I  ventured  to  express  a  doubt  of  Mr.  McGovern,  'twas 
as  much  for  your  protection  as  for  mine." 

"  I  have  arrived  at  that  ago,  sir,  which  needs  no  protection 
from  others,"  stiflly  replied  tho  Major. 

"  I  must  bog  leave  to  dlller  with  you  there.  Major,  for  you  are 
ready  to  place  conftdonco  in  every  scheming  villain  who  talks  in 
a  highfalutin  strain  about  tho  things  that  are  proper  between 
centlomon,  and  Hatters  your  vanity  to  get  an  opportunity  to  pick 
your  pockot.  I  should  have  thought  the  Simpson  alfair  wou  d 
have  made  you  more  cautious;  but  you  seem  to  be  just  as  ready 
to  be  cajoled  as  ever.  What  do  you  know  about  McGovern  s 
honesty  f  Why  should  you  bo  so  ready  to  take  his  word  on  so 
short  an  acquaintance  f  This  is  a  matter  of  business,  not  cour- 
tesy, and  tho  way  for  him  to  show  his  honesty  of  purpose  is  to 
come  up  with  his  money,  and  not  blarney  about  it." 

'<  Keep  cool.  Jack  1  Don't  fly  off  at  tho  handle,  ray  boy;  1 11 
be  responsible  for  McGovorn,  and  you  shan't  bo  in  any  way  a 

loser  by  him." 

«  Yes,  Major,  but  I  don't  want  you  to  bo  a  loser  by  him,  either, 
and  it's  my  opinion  he's  beat  us  both,  already.  Look  around 
this  room— what  is  there  to  show  for  five  hundred  and  odd  dol- 
lars here?  Why,  I  don't  believe  he's  speat  three  hundred  dol- 
lars altogether,  sir!  I  tell  you.  Major,  this  man  has  chiseled 
us  already,  and  he  means  to  do  it  agam;  and  he  will,  too,  if  wo 
don't  take  him  to  task  pretty  sharply.    His  big  talk  about  his 


(D. 

ir.  Mr.  McOorern 
ig  in  this  city,  and 
on,  air,  towards  us 
I  liirt  iissi  tiincc  to 
me,  iind  't  would  l>o 
Uit  to  relievo  your 
Hhiiro  of  the  bunk 
uauded  tbo  Miijor, 


V  strange  place  and 
ig  as  smoothly  as 

a  strict  watch  ui)on 
lonoy  transactions, 
:r.  McOovern,  'twas 

lecds  no  protection 

),  Major,  for  you  are 
villain  who  talks  in 
arc  proper  between 
opportunity  to  pick 
inipson  alfair  would 
1  to  bo  just  as  ready 
J  about  McGovorn's 
take  his  word  on  so 
if  business,  not  cour- 
!sty  of  purpose  is  to 
tout  it." 

handle,  my  boy;  I'll 
m't  be  in  any  way  a 

I  loser  by  him,  either, 
eady.  Look  around 
lundred  and  odd  dol- 
t  three  hundred  dol- 
us man  has  chiseled 
indhe  will,  too,  if  we 
IS  big  talk  about  his 


MBW  TOSX. 


98f 


flvo  thousand  dollar  check  in  all  '  popycock.'  Why  don't  he  show 
up  his  money  f    This  is  no  way  to  do  business." 

"Well,  Weill"  oxclaimcd  the  Miijr  testily;  "let's  see  first 
what  our  prospects  are,  Iteforo  we  tonii.ience  iiuailuling  with 
Mc(iovern.  I'd  stake  my  life  he'.s  an  honest  man,  and  means 
well  by  U8.  Should  ho  prove  otherwise,  I'll  take  the  loss  on  my 
shoulders." 

"  Then  you  intend  t>)  let  him  go  ahead  his  own  way  f" 

"  Most  certainly,  nir!  Do  you  want  me  to  dictate  to  him  what 
bo  shall  do,  in  his  own  home,  and  among  his  own  people f" 

Finding  that  the  Major  wa»  already  somewhat  angry  with  me 
for  my  perseverance,  and  seeing  the  futility  of  further  discussion, 
I  dropped  the  subject. 

Mr.  McGovern,  true  to  his  promise,  made  his  api)earance  in 
our  rooms,  in  the  evening,  in  company  with  twenty  or  more 
Individuals,  whom  ho  characterized  as  the  b'h'ys;  and  a  motley 
crowd  they  were.  Nearly  all  were  respectably  dressed,  and 
some  stylishly.  Many  carried  in  their  hands  gold-headed  canes, 
while  gold  and  gems  adorned  the  fronts  of  their  shirts  and 
glittered  on  their  stumpy  fingers;  and  every  face,  though  some 
were  by  no  means  ill-looking,  bore  the  stamp  of  di-ssipation  and 
debauchery.  Their  fine  raiment,  and  the  gems  and  jewels  which 
they  wore,  could  not  conceal  a  certain  air  of  coarseness  and 
roystoring  rowdyism  which  liung  about  thorn. 

Mr.  McGovern  presented  his  "fri'nds,"  one  after  another,  to 
the  Major,  and  each  having  shaken  him  by  the  hand,  in  the 
most  energetic  pump-handle  fashion,  ho,  prefacing  his  remarks 
with  a  stentorian  "whist,"  and  thereby  bespeaking  silence, 
proceeded  to  deliver  himself  of  the  following  speech: 

"Gintlemon!  Major  George  Jenks  is  one  of  the  rale  ould 
Varginny  stock;  a  thrue  ginlleman,  ivery  inch  ov  'im.  You  can^ 
take  me  wurrud  for  it.  He's  a  sthrangcr  among  ye's,  'an  ye'll 
thrate  'im  kindly,  for  its  desarvin  he  is  of  it,  if  he  is  a  gambler! 
He's  come  to  dale  faro  to  ye's,  an'  bo  tho  same  token,  he's 
brought  lashins  o'  money  wid  him,  an'  he'll  hand  it  over  to  ye's 
like  a  man  if  yor  able  to  win  it." 

This  address  received  several  interruptions  during  its  dehvory, 
sever!''  of  the  audience  calling  out,  "Spin  yer  string  short, 
Gove}  "  "0  gas!"  "Dry  up  and  bust!"  "Shy  yer  castor  and 
let's  driuk,"  with  many  more  elegant  phrases  in  common  use 


8 


268  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

among  .his  refined  crowd.  When  the  speech  was  concluded  a 
gentleman  at  the  rear  of  the  crowd,  w)io  had  not  opened  his 
mouth  since  entering  the  room,  remarked  solemnly : 

"S'pose  the  by's  kin  tell  a  Wood  whin  they  sees  'em  widout 
all  that  palaver.  Faith,  yc's  know  a  gintlcman  as  will  as  the 
best  0'  them,  but  the  divil  a  harrum  in  knowin'  what  fashion  o 
gentleman  ycr  interduced  tc."  ««tn«i,    it 

"Blarney!"  "Too  much  chaff!"  "Cheese  it!"  "S  ash  it, 
Govey,  ole  boy,  an'  let's  try  tho  Major's  champagne,"  roared 

half  a  dozen  at  once.  ,  ■■,  a  » 

"Yaas,  Gcvey,  stash  it,  ole  boss,  yer  too  long-wmded," 
drawled  a  gentleman  of  the  "Mose"  order,  who  was  standing 
immediately  opposite  Mr.  McGovem,  and  who  to  give  point  to 
MS  remark;  favored  that  gentleman  with  sucla  a  punch  in  he 
ribs  as  brought  the  water  to  his  eyes  and  sent  bur  reelmg  o  the 
oppoSte  side  of  the  room.  This  scientific  feat  was  received  with 
laughter  from  all  sides,  and  Mr.  McGovern,  soemg  no  inoro  op- 
portunity for  speechifying,  hid  his  chagrin  in  the  PoW'ng  of  the 
champagne  corks.  General  hilarity  prevailed.  T\vo  dozen  of 
tirwefo  uncorked,  and  the  Major's  health,  extension  of  longev- 
Uvaud  success,  drank  in  bumpers  with  vociferous  cheering 
to  ;wch  that  geitleman  responded  in  a  short,  but  good-natured 

'^Sf  McGovem  had  meanwhile  planted  himself  in  front  of  the 
firo-table,  aid  demanded  $200  worth  of  checks,  which  I  sup- 
ped to  him,  but  for  which  he  oflered  me  no  money.    Severn 
Sher  person^  now  came  up  to  the  table,  bought  chips,  and  I 
s  on  luad  a  Uvely  play.    As  no  arrangement  had  bc.n  made 
relative  to  the  limit  of  the  game,  I  took  it  upon  myself  to  fix  it 
at  $2.5  and  $100,  when  one  of  our  players  desired   o  '"'^^^C;^  ^«t 
on  a  card,  of  $200.    Some  twelve  men  were  about  the  tab  e  and 
several  hkd  shown  large  rolls  of  bank  bills,  and  were  betting 
heavily  against  the  game.    The  chances  were    avorable  for  us 
?o  win'or'lose  a  considerable  sum  of  money,  -^d  the  conduct 
the  players  was  admirable.    Not  so,  however,  with  the  other 
portion  of  the  company.    After  hoisting  in  a  large  quant. ty  of 
Champagne,  and  brandy  to  top  ofif  with,  they  had  gathered  about 
*i'e  poker  table.    For  a  short  time  they  behaved  with  propriety, 
but  the  liquor  they  had  drank  having  had  time  to  loosen  their 
tongues,  they  became  pretty  noisy.    They  discussed  m  loud 


.jK.isiagi***!**^'***- 


WW  YOBK. 


waa  concluded,  a 
i  not  opened  his 
nuly : 

'  sees  'em  widout 
an  as  will  as  the 
n'  what  fashion  o' 

it!"    "Stash    it, 
impagnc,"  roared 

00  long-winded," 
svho  was  standing 
),  to  give  point  to 
h  a  punch  in  the 
hhv  reeling  to  the 
was  received  with 
seeing  no  more  op~ 
the  popping  of  the 
!d.  Two  dozen  of 
xtension  of  longev- 
aciferous  cheering, 
,  but  good-natured 

Qself  in  front  of  the 
iccks,  which  I  sup- 
10  money.    Several 
ought  chips,  and  I 
nt  had  been  made 
pon  myself  to  fix  it 
sired  to  make  a  bet 
ibout  the  table,  and 
!,  and  were  betting 
're  favorable  for  us 
and  the  conduct  of 
ver,  with  the  other 
a  largo  quantity  of 
had  gathered  about 
ived  with  propriety, 
time  to  loosen  their 
'  discussed  in  loud 


tones  the  merits  of  dififerent  ward  politicians,  fire  engine  com- 
panies, prize  fighters,  and  many  kindred  subjects,  talking  all 
at  once,  and  using  more  profane  language  and  slang  than  is 
generally  to  be  heard  in  assemblies  of  gentlemen.  Occasionally, 
when  the  uproar  waxed  deafening,  McGovern  would  turn  around 
in  his  chair,  and  cry  out,  "Whist,  ye  divils,  ye're  not  at  a  pri- 
mary meeting."  After  such  a  remonstrance,  comparative  quiet 
would  reign  for  a  few  moments,  when  the  babel  of  tongues  would 
recommence.  Finally,  amid  their  rude  wit  and  chafifering,  two 
of  the  party  had  got  into  angry  dispute  relative  to  their  respect- 
ive fiie-engine  companies,  which  resulted  in  one  of  the  parties 
calling  the  other  a  liar,  and  a  square  knock-down  was  the  con- 
sequence. The  game  had  dealt  up  to  this  time  with  more  than 
usual  good  luck,  and  was  nearly  $3000  winner,  besides  $400 
which  McGovern  owed  the  bank.  As  there  seemed  plenty  of 
money  around  the  bank,  the  chances  were  for  us  to  make  a 
good  winning,  but  our  prospects  were  not  reahzed.  The  moment 
that  little  pleasantry  took  place  between  the  two  worthies  at  the 
peker  table,  the  whole  party  jumped  to  their  feet,  and  a  deafen- 
ing shout  arose  of  "A  ring!  a  ring!  fair  play!  fair  play!"  My 
players  also  hastened  to  the  vicinity  of  the  combatants ;  some 
had  their  checks  cashed,  while  others  crammed  theirs  hastily 
into  their  pockets.  With  scant  ceremony,  the  faro  table  and  all 
other  furniture  was  pushed  back  or  piled  one  upon  the  other,  to 
give  the  combatants  a  clear  field,  after  which  they  were  placed 
in  a  position  facing  each  other,  stripped  to  the  buff,  and  duly 
seconded  according  to  the  established  rules  of  the  P.  R.  Mr. 
Phil.  McGovern  was  chosen  referee,  an  ofiQcc  which  he  accepted 
with  joyful  alacrity,  to  the  immense  astonishment  and  disgust  of 
the  Major. 

" Fifty  dollars  on  Jakey  Grier,"  sung  out  a  bystander.  The 
bet  was  immediately  taken,  several  others  were  offered  and 
taken  the  moment  they  passed  the  lips  of  those  making  them. 
"Jakey  Grier"  had  the  "call"  over  his  opponent,  Jimmy  Riley. 
Whether  it  was  owing  to  the  fact  that  he  had  knocked  down 
Jimmy,  or  his  previous  exploits  in  the  manly  art,  that  had  given 
his  backers  such  confidence  in  his  mettle,  I  am  unable,  unfortu- 
nately, to  inform  my  reader,  but  certain  it  is,  that  as  the  "mill" 
was  about  to  commence,  the  odds  were  $50  to  $40  on  Jakey,  and 
no  takers.    I  suppose,  altogether,  about  $600  was  wagered  upon 


i«o*wi«i»fcsai*««i'»**»- 


270  wANDBKnirGS  of  a  vagabond. 

the  issue  of  the  fight.  The  combatants  pummeled  each  other 
for  something  like  fifteen  minutes,  when  the  "  mill  '  v;as  brought 
to  a  close  by  Jimmy  Kiley  delivering  an  upper  cut  with  his  left, 
which  landed  underneath  the  ear  of  Jakey,  knocking  taat  gen- 
tleman completely  out  of  time.  The  combat  being  thus  closed 
the  spectators  liquored  up  all  round,  and  a  double  portion  being 
imbibed  bj  the  combatants.  Jakey,  entirely  "  hors  du  combat 
was  asBistcQ  to  his  domicile,  while  the  victorious  Jimmy,  with 
two  teeth  knocl;  ^  out  and  one  eye  in  mourning,  not  to  mention 
the  general  appearance  of  his  "mug,"  was  congratulated  by  his 

numerous  friends.  j  x,  „  >!!«•„- 

Mr.  McGovern  and  some  of  his  party  now  returned  the  differ- 
ent articles  of  furniture  to  their  places,  and  a  general  demand 
was  made  that  the  faro-bank  should  be  reopened.  But  the 
Maior  positively  declined  to  comply  with  the  request,  alleging  as 
his  reason,  that  he  was  afraid  the  police  would  force  an  entrance 
into  the  house.  "Force  hell!"  roared  a  brawny  son  of  the  Emer- 
ald Isle,  holding  up  a  fist  which  looked  as  if  it  might  have  felled 
an  ox.  "It's  myself  'ud  Uke  to  see  one  o'  the  dirty  sons  o 
bitches  poke  his  mug  in  at  that  dure  till  I'd  mash  it  for  'im. 

But  neither  threats  nor  entreaties-and  both  were  unsparingly 
used— would  induce  the  Major  to  reopen  his  game. 

"This  isad--n  nice  hole  you've  roped  us  inter,  Gov.,    said 
one  of  that  gen^'eman's  friends;  "these  ere  fellers  are  'fraid  o 

*^"Th^  perlice,  is  it?"  said  another,  "Be  Ja-s,  it's  the  likes  o' 
them  I'll  kapo  clear  o'  the  like-,  of  us;  it's  themselves  knows 
we'd  put  a  head  on  ivery  mother's  son  ov  'em  if  they  interfare  wid 
the  divarshins  o'  gentlemen."  ^  ^    +i,« 

"Ye's  must  excuse  me  friends;  sure,  they're  not  used  to  the 
b'ys  yet,"  said  McGovern,  apologetically.  ,    ,  ,  „  , 

"That  ain't  it!  They've  took  in  a  few  hundred  dollars,  and 
that 'Ulast 'em  till  they  die,"  cried  another  worthy. 

"Let  'em  go  to  h-1  if  they  don't  open  their  game,"  said  a 
gentleman  in  the  crowd;  "there's  plenty  o'  games  in  town  be- 
sides this.    Come  down  to  Jimmy  Daley's,  he'll  give  ye  farrer  till 

ver  belly  aches." 

This  elegant  sentiment  being  received  with  great  approbation, 
the  originator  started  for  the  door,  and  probably  ultimately  for 
the  domicile  of  the  axjcommodating  Mr.  Daley.    He  was  accom- 


NEW   YORK. 


271 


leled  each  other 
lill"  vas  brought 
cut  with  his  left, 
jcking  tiiat  gen- 
eing  thus  closed, 
ble  portion  being 
'  hors  du  combat," 
ous  Jimmy,  with 
ig,  not  to  mention 
gratulated  by  his 

turned  the  differ- 
i  general  demand 
pened.  But  the 
;quest,  alleging  as 
force  an  entrance 
'  son  of  the  Emer- 
might  have  felled 
the  dirty  sons  o' 
ish  it  for  'im." 
I  were  unsparingly 
ime. 

inter,  Gov.,"  said 
fellers  are  'fraid  o' 

-8,  it's  the  likes  o' 
themselves  knows 
f  they  interfare  wid 

re  not  used  to  the 

ndred  dollars,  and 
orthy. 

heir  game,"  said  a 
james  in  town  he- 
'll give  ye  farrer  till 

great  approbation, 
)ably  ultimately  for 
V.    He  was  accom- 


panied by  two  or  three  comrades,  while  the  remainder  soon 
followed  suit,  and  stood  not  upon  the  order  of  their  going  by  any 
means. 

"Well,  Major!  How  do  you  like  our  game?"  I  inquired,  soon 
after  our  guests  bad  departed. 

"The  money  I  saw  I  liked  well  enough,  sir;  but  a  more  dis- 
gi'aceful  set  of  ruffians  than  our  players  to-night,  I  have  never 
had  the  luck  to  meet." 

"Mr.  McGovern  owes  the  bank  $400;  did  his  play  count,  or 
not?" 

"  Unquestionably  it  did,  sir !  Always  does  in  such  cases,  un- 
less an  express  understanding  is  had  previously." 

"Should  he  refuse  to  acknowledge  his  play  as  a  genuine  one, 
are  you  willing  to  pay  me  one-third  of  what  he  owes  the  bank  ?  " 
I  coolly  inquired. 

"Pay  you  one  third  of  what  he  owes  the  bank?"  repeated  the 
Major,  his  face  flushed  with  anger,  aroused  by  my  question. 
"No,  sir!  I  told  you  I'd  be  responsible  for  his  share  of  the  bank- 
ing money." 

"  Oh !  Very  well,  Major,  I  shall  speak  to  Mr.  McGovern  about 
the  matter  to-morrow,"  I  replied,  coolly. 

"  Speak  to  him  about  what?"  demanded  the  Major,  excitedly. 

"  Why,  about  his  play,  to  be  sure,"  I  rejoined.  "  He  now  owes 
the  bank  $400.  Should  we  to-morrow  ask  him  for  this,  ho  might 
Bay  ho  was  only  capping  the  game  in  order  to  induce  his  friends 
to  play.  But  should  we  allow  it  to  pass  on  without  any  under- 
standing about  the  matter,  he  might,  to-morrow  night,  or  any 
night,  win  two  or  more  thousands,  and  put  it  in  his  pocket.  That 
would,  no  doubt,  be  very  good  for  McGovern,  but  it  wouldn't 
exactly  suit  me,  Major,  and  I  doubt  if  it  would  you,  sir." 

"You  mustn't  act  in  this  manner.  Jack.  Wait  until  they 
show  some  evidence  of  guilt,  before  you  commence  convicting 
people  in  this  way." 

"There's  nothing  like  being  on  the  safe  side.  Major." 

"  No,  no.  Jack ;  whenever  you  enter  into  a  business  with  a 
gentleman,  do  not  insult  him  by  showing,  either  by  word  or 
deed,  that  you  doabt  his  honesty  of  purpose ;  and  in  this  case 
it  is  especially  for  our  interest  to  keep  on  the  best  of  terms  with 
McGovern.  Without  his  protection,  how  in  the  world  are  we 
going  to  manage  these  brutes?  To  lose  his  friendship.  Jack, 
would  be  to  have  our  game  broken  up." 


: 


27i».  -WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND, 

"I  am  desirous  of  continuing  the  game,  sir,  because  I  see 
money  in  it;  but  I  don't  care  to  have  Mr.  McGovern  get  any  the 
best  of  me;  and  the  surest  way  to  prevent  a  misundjrstandmg, 
is  to  asli  him  to-morrow  wliclher  his  play  must  count  or  not. 
He  owes  $400,  therefore  he  cauuot  bo  angry  at  a  plam  (luestioii 
upon  the-  subject.  If  ho  says  his  play  docs  not  count,  we  are  but 
slishtly  the  losers,  and  luiow  what  we  are  domg. 

"Wo  mustn't  say  anything  to  him,"  ho  replied,  dogged.y. 
"Wo  have  already  displeased  him  by  closing  our  game  to  night, 
and  refusing  to  reopen  it.  I  am  sorry  I  did  so.  Just  let  me 
manage  this  matter,  Jack,  will  you?    It  w:ll  be  all  right  m  the 

^°i  saw  it  was  quito  useless  trying  to  bring  him  to  my  way  of 
thinlcing,  consequently  dropped  tho  subject  and  proposed  that 
wo  should  retire  for  tlio  night. 

Mr  McGovern  called  at  our  rooms  on  the  foWowmg  morning, 
and  reprimanded  tlie  Major  for  closing  his  game  on  the  evemng 
before  against  the  wishes  of  his  friends.  "  Bad  l.ck  to  mo  if  I 
wouldn't  rather  lost  a  thousand  dollars  than  h.>.,.  yo  s  dono  it. 
Begorra,  if  that's  the  game  yc're  goin'  to  play,  y  -i  ";"?JJ'  J^^ 
thilcity.  The  b'ys'll  not  be  standin'  it,  at  all.  at  all ;  an'  u  they 
ivcr  come  here  again,  it's  meself  ye'U  irav .  to  thank  for  i! 
Didn't  they  ?wcar  by  this  and  by  that,  thoy'O  n;ver  set  futmside 

ver  dures  r.gin  ? "  ,  *'    „ 

"Is  it  expected  that  we  shall  close  oar  m-.-^  whenever  taey 
want  a  ring  fight  in  the  room,  and  •:■  .-^  it  ag,  .0  when  it  is  their 
pleasure  to  demand  it?"  Ilaughing.ymquuv^. 

"  W'.at  the  di-n  is  it  to  you  what  they  want',  Its  to  win 
their  monny  ,  re  here,  ain't  it?  Do  yo's  want  .0  reform 
their  morals,  ^00  r-     e  inquired,  angrily. 

"But  m?  fiif'.' politely  remonstrated  the  Major,  •  1  taro- 
room  is  no  place  for  a  ring  fight.  I  never  witnessed  so  disgi  iceful 
a  scene  before,  and  I've  been  in  the  profession  thirty  years. 

'Thin  it's  time,  Major,  ye  were  acquainted  with  the  fashions 
of  New  York,  if  ye's  mane  to  sthay  in  it.  Take  mo  wurrud  for 
that.  An'  more  be  token,  if  it  wasn't  gintlemin  ye's  had  wid  ye  s 
last  ni--bt,  it's  out  o'  tlio  windy  yersels  and  yer  faro  tools  would 
a  gone,  by  the  howly  St.  Patrick,  when  ye's  refused  to  open 
yer  dirty  game  to  the  first  gintleaien  in  New  York  ! " 

"  This  must  be  a  rough  couut>-y  on  faro  dealers,  said  tne 
Major,  laughing. 


NST,    TOBE. 


273 


,  because  I  see 
k-ern  get  any  tbe 
.sumlJi-staiuliug, 
it  count  or  not. 
a  plain  (luestion 
iouut,  we  are  but 

plied,  doggedly, 
ir  game  to  night, 
50.  Just  let  roe 
3  all  right  in  the 

im  to  my  way  cf 
id  proposed  that 

ilowing  morning, 
le  on  the  evening 
id  kck  to  mo  if  I 
[i;i,d  ye's  dono  it. 

ys  d  betther  lave 
at  all ;  an'  if  they 

to  thank  for  it ! 
I' ver  set  fut  inside 

oa  whenever  they 
,r;  ^vhea  it  is  their 

ant?    It's  to  win 
'a  want  ,o  reform 

e  Major,  "  i  faro- 
sscd  so  disgi  aceful 
1  thirty  years." 
I  with  the  fashions 
ike  mo  wurrud  for 
in  ye's  had  wid  ye's 
3r  faro  tools  would 
o's  refused  to  open 
York  ! " 
dealers,"  said  the 


"  The  divil  a  betther  set  o'  b'ys  in  the  worruld,  but  they  won't 
stand  any  hunibuggin',  mind  that  now,  Major." 

"  Well,  sir,  I  shall  endeavor  to  please  your  friends  in  future, 
My.  McGoveru,"  said  the  Major.  "  Tell  your  friends  that  I  was 
afraid  of  the  police  arresting  us,  or  I  should  have  opened  the 
game  when  they  recjuested  me  to  do  so." 

"  Don't  let  the  perlace  trouble  yer  head.  It's  too  wise  the 
blaggards  are,  to  interfere  wid  thim  b'ys  whin  they're  out  on  a 
lark.  But  I'll  lave  ye's  now,  an'  see  what  I  can  do  for  ye's  this 
avenin'."    And  away  he  went. 

Early  in  the  evening,  three  respectable  looking  men  dropped 
in,  and  commenced  playing;  and  later,  McGovern  came  with 
four  companions,  but  one  of  whom  had  been  in  our  rooms  on 
the  previous  evening.  Our  game  became  lively,  and  lastti^l 
till  morning,  without  a  "muss"  ofiany  kind  having  taken  place. 
Again  McGovern  demanded  cheeks  from  the  bank,  which  I 
furnished,  and  he  again  neglected  to  pay  for.  As  he  played 
comparatively  small,  and  there  was  a  debt  of  $400  hanging  over 
him,  the  circumstance  gave  uio  little  or  no  uneasiness.  When 
the  bank  closed,  be  was  loser  $280,  and  as  ho  rose  from  his  chair 
he  turned  towards  the  Major,  and  said,  "I'll  hand  ye's  that; 
money  in  the  mornin'.  Major."  The  latter  responded  by  a  nod. 
But  the  money  was  not  forthcoming  as  promised,  which  led  me 
to  believe  that  McGovern  had  no  idea  of  his  play  counting,  and 
did  not  intend  taking  any  uuiair  advantage  of  us  in  that  way. 
As  the  Major  was  determined  not  to  ask  him  whether  his  play 
counted  or  not,  or,  in  other  words,  was  afraid  to  ask  him,  and 
opposed  my  doing  so  in  such  a  bitter  maimer,  I  made  up  my 
mind  not  to  say  any  more  to  him  on  the  Bubject  nor  to  mention 
it  to  McGovern  so  long  as  ho  continued  to  lose,  but  to  permit 
him  to  go  ahead  until  the  end  of  tho  month.  But  I  had  also 
made  up  my  mind,  that,  in  case  he  played  himself  even  with  the 
bank,  I  would  come  to  an  explanation  with  him,  even  if  I  was 
obliged  to  call  him  away  from  the  faro-table  to  do  so. 

Our  play  gradually  increased,  until  we  bad  nightly  a  full  table 
of  bei;ters.  Disputes  would  frequently  arise  relative  to  the  own- 
ership of  bets,  which  often  resulted  in  damaged  eyes  and  noses 
and  the  smas.'iing  of  heads.  These  delectable  amusements  would 
frequently  end  in  a  ring  fight,  similar  to  that  which  we  had  en- 
joyed on  our  opening  night.  We  got  thoroughly  used  to  this   ort 


^^**???*^3^~-**^--*" "  ■ 


f.74  TVANDEEINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 

Of  amusements,  and  when  the  combatants  had  P^j^^jJ  f^^ 
other  to  their  satisfaction,  wc  resumed  our  game.     On  three  oc 

Sn^sman  scrimmages  ^^^^^^.X^:^ ^ST^ 
^•hilo  the  battle  was  ragmg  hottest  the  ^^'^J"^,^""  "^^^.j^^j  ^^^ 

^r«,e  rowbVn  Uc„.  them  until  "^P^-^'^^SrS 

Ij  thJ  mtlo  cccontrldtlos  ot  oar  customed,     ^tey  '"oke  «r 
ld„w.»,,ddoor»a,,a— do^^^^^^^ 
the  month,  we  were  obliged  to  uuy  iwu  « 
and  have  a  new  faro-table  made.  .^^^^^^^^ 

During  tbese  rows  we  were  entirely^^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

ence,  and  every  ^^''^''^^''Z^^ee^^.J^^^  influence  to 

When  MeGovern  was  presen^^^^^^^^^^  ,„ 

prevent  these  trmls  ^y  bat  Ho,  or  W  ,  ^  ^^^  ^ 

more  with  it  possibly,  had  not  the  ^J-^JO^'  ;  "^     ,      ^-^^^^     ^^ 
nnt  phiir  hune  on  to  the  card-box  like  griin  deatn.    t^  '""'"^ 

L  money,  ,vhl;*  ho  hold  .till    " '"» '™Sbr    V  atw 

kick  him  about  tb«l^«!^d,^^t,Vi;t\nd8  ruckout  for  his  assail- 
tous  attentions,  he  regaine^^^^^^^^^  .^  contact  with, 

ants.    His ^^JlfJ^'^^^^ ^^.w  ^ff  rather  suddenly  to  repair 
;t  raSirhrdrtrhtdrand  At^stretched  Mm  out 


/ 


[D. 

ad  punished  each 
me.     On  three  Ge- 
neral engagement, 
and  myself  seized 
\cld  of  action,  and 
30  who  had  check8 
ed  our  banlc  on  the 
)nth  was  tlie  service 
lir  damages  caused 
3.    They  broke  our 
md  tables.    During 
■a  dozens  of  chairs, 

•om  police  interfer- 
scienceand  muscle- 
1  utmost  influence  to 
ercations  leading  to 
en  struck  he  was  as 
jlves.     One  night  a 
some    sixty  dollars 
10  had  been  cheated, 
car.d-box  in  order  to 
so,  and  considerably 
■ho  was  in  the  look- 
Q  death.    Finding  he 
him  a  stunning  blow 
0  poor  Llajor  sprawl- 
s  card-box  containing 
(Is.    The  ruffiao  was 
ichiof,  by  a  blow  from 
aim  to  loosen  his  hole. 
lehind  with  a  chair;  in 
persons  now  began  to 
a  spite  of  these  solici- 
ruck  out  for  his  assail- 
came  in  contact  with, 
her  suddenly  to  repair 
he  could  disable  them, 
elee,  a  storm  of  chairs 
lally  stretched  him  out 


NEW  TOBK. 


275 


senseless.  While  in  this  situation  he  was  kicked  and  thumped, 
aud  at  last  dragged  down  stairs,  and  thrown  into  the  street  in  an 
almost  denuded  condition.  For  several  moments  ho  lay  there  as 
lie  had  been  thrown,  and  when  he  recovered  bis  consciousness 
the  first  thing  ho  asked  for  was  some  whiskey.  Having  swal- 
lowed it  at  a  draught,  he  then  stared  around  him  to  collect  his 
scattered  senses.  At  last,  as  ho  looked  up  to  the  building,  his 
eyes  fell  on  the  lighted  windows  of  our  room.  Tlie  sight  seemed 
to  recall  to  his  memory  the  late  stirring  event,  in  which  ho  had 
been  an  important  actor.  Ho  shook  his  clenched  fist  at  our  win- 
dows, and  muttered  between  his  clenched  teeth,  •'  If  I'd  a  had  a 
fair  show,  them  'uns  couldn't  a  whipt  one  side  o'  me."  He  then 
got  once  more  upon  his  pins,  and  quietly  toddled  ofif. 

Our  faro-table  had  been  broken,  and  many  of  our  chairs  smash- 
ed, in  this  fracas,  so  we  concluded  to  close  for  the  night,  in  order 
to  repair  damages,  and  not  to  reopen  uutil  the  following  evening. 
The  Major's  wounds  did  not  prove  to  be  so  severe  as  I  feared, 
and  I  was  much  rejoiced  to  find  that,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
bruises,  he  wa.s,  to  use  his  own  expression,  "  as  good  as  new,  sir." 
Wliilo  we  were  on  our  way  to  our  hotel,  wo  were  overtaken  by 
one  of  our  players,  by  the  name  of  Joseph  Chapin.  Ho  was  a 
small,  attenuated  specimen  of  humanity.  That  he  was  inclined 
to  be  sickly  one  did  not  need  to  be  told,  for  his  pinched  features 
and  shrunken  form  amply  attested  it.  He  did  not  seem  to  have 
the  least  fellowship  for  anyone,  always  came  and  went  by  himself, 
and  rarely  engaged  in  conversation;  though  scarcely  thirty  years 
old,  seemed  to  be  burdened  with  the  cares  of  age.  Since  we  had 
opened  our  room,  he  had  been  one  of  its  most  constant  frequent- 
ers. He  seemed  to  have  a  sufficiency  of  money  for  his  purpose, 
and  played  almost  steadily  against  the  bank,  but  lightly,  and  the 
most  he  would  win  or  lose  at  a  sitting  was  about  $50.  The  life 
of  Mr.  Chapin,  and  how  he  obtained  his  money,  appeared  to 
be  a  mystery  which  the  boys  could  not  fathom.  And  many  were 
the  turnings  over  which  he  got  in  our  rooms  in  his  absence  from 
them.  "Where  the  hell  does  Joe  Chapin  get  his  blunt  from? 
I  never  seed  'im  doin'  nothin'  for  it;  I  wonder  if  he  dusent  stand 
in  with  the  cross-men  ?  But  he  never  jines  'em !"  Aftei  which  the 
speaker  proceeded  to  take  several  leisurely  whiflfs  at  a  remark- 
ably dirty  meerschaum.  The  speaker  was  one  of  Mr.  McGovem's 
friends;  the  time  early  in  the  evening,  but  few  persons  being 


i 


276  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOXD. 

present  in  the  room.     "  Maybe  his  gal  comes  out  to  him,-  sug- 
nf«jtwl  another  ccutlemau  present. 

^-1  he  dirty  |,o.stI  and  is  it  him  have  a  gall  he's  too  .-hUe- 
livered  for  that,"  laughed  another. 

-'He's  allcrs  got  the  blunt,  anyhow,  an'  that  tells  he s  a 
keener,"  dreamily  responded  the  first  speaker,  with  his  pipe 

"ijo™Chapin,  gintlcmen',  is  as  fine  a  pinman  as  ye'll  find  in 
the  eUhy  o'^New  York,  an'  the  divil  a  man  lu  it  ean  put  h.s 
name    .the  bottom  av  a  check  as  will  as  Joe  l^inisclf." 

?h.  0  remarks  were  received  with  many  ^^^^^^'^^^^  .7- 
prise  and  wonder,  and  one  gentleman  present  gave  vent  to  a 
Kg,  ?ow  whistle,  followed  by  a  "Wh-a-at!    and  thats  his 

''"whaf  tYe  divil  do  ye  mane  by  axing  is  that  1^-  ^^^'i^- 
manded  Mr.  McGovcrn,  pretending  to  be  very  HHi'ffuant  D.d 
?savanvthin'  wrongo'tho  manT  Am  I  a  man  capable  of  sland- 
Ihevfn'  a 'gintlemanf    The  divil  a  bit.    Not  Phil.  McGovern. 

^Tut"  whenever  Joe's  foes  measured  tongues  with  him,  they 
«too?about  as  much  chance  as  a  novice  would  have  in  crossmg 
swordfwith  L  ac  omplished  duelist.    He  had  a  supple  tongue, 
v^Sch  was  never  at  a  iSss  to  huvl  bitter  gibes  towards  h.s  adver- 
Tries     He  seemed  also  to  have  a  perfect  knowledge  of  every 
Tne?  character,  antecedents,  and  present  social  standing,  and 
Se  wa^  mSe  pleased  to  show  up  the  deformities  of  poor  human 
natur^  Tan  its  redeeming  qualities.    The  bullies  held  him  m 
resnectful  fear,  because,  on  the  few  occasions  in  which  he  had 
bXoncerned  in  rows  he  had  shown  an  ugly  disposition  to  use 
Sife-an  instrument  held  in  great  detestation  by  your  mus- 
cular expounder   of  the  science  of  hitting  from  the  shoulder, 
jt  and  myself  had  gotten  on  very  amicably  together,  and  he 
Sten  favS  me  with  a  dissertation  on  the  characters  of  those 
who  frequented  our  rooms,  and  if  any  one  of  them  ever  possessed 
The  smlst  virtue,  Joe  had,  unfortunately,  f«;g«"e°,%f^^^. 

"Delightful    shindy  that,  Major?"    remarked   Mr.  Chapin, 
when  be  had  overhauled  us.  j«„v* 

.'Ibrntal  affair,  sir,  very  brutal,"  returned  the  Major,  doubt- 
less  still  soffering  from  the  weight  of  the  fellow's  fist. 
^He'8  a  whale     If  he'd  had  a  fair  start,  now,  he'd  a  cleared 
out  that  McGovern  gang." 


It  to  liim,''  Bug- 

?  bc's  too  white- 

liat  tells  be'a  a 
r,  with  his  pipe 

ii  as  yo'U  find  in 
n  it  can  put  his 
imsclf." 

lamations  of  sur- 
t  gave  vent  to  a 
t!    and  that's  his 

it  his  game?"  de- 
inOignant.  "TAi 
capable  of  sland- 
Phil.  McGovern, 

8  with  him,  they 
i  have  in  crossing 
1  a  supple  tongue, 
towards  his  adver- 
uowledge  of  every 
cial  standing,  and 
les  of  poor  human 
allies  held  him  in 
3  in  which  he  had 
Y  disposition  to  use 
ition  by  your  mus- 
:rom  the  shoulder. 
y  together,  and  he 
characters  of  those 
hera  ever  possessed 
argotten  the  fact, 
rked   Mr.  Chapin, 

i  the  Major,  doubt- 
low's  fist, 
low,  he'd  a  cleared 


NBW  YOBS. 


877 


"Do  you  know  him?"  I  inquired. 

"Yes!  His  name's  Jack  Kline;  he  keeps  order  for  Johnny 
Walker's  dance-house  in  the  Points." 

"He's  an  infernal  robber,"  angrily  cried  the  ilajor. 

"He  ain't  no  worse  than  the  rest  on  'em,  McGovern  and  his 
gang;  they're  all  on  it." 

"  On  it !  On  what  f "  demanded  the  Major, 

"The  rob,"  laconically  replied  Mr.  Chapin. 

"Mr.  McGovern  is  a  gentleman,  sir,  and  my  friend,"  said  the 
Major,  in  his  stiffest  manner,  and  stopping  in  his  walk  to  eye 
Chapin  from  head  to  foot  with  a  glance  which  ought  to  have 
annihilated  him. 

"Ha!  ha!  ha!"  laughed  Chapin,  on  whom  the  Mj\jor's 
dignity  did  not  seem  to  take  much  effect.  "He  a  gentleman!" 
What,  Oily  McGovern  f  Why,  Major,  he's  the  dirtiest  thief  in 
New  York." 

"I  am  afraid  you're  somewhat  prejudiced  against  the  gentle- 
man," I  remarked. 

"I  always  am  against  low-flung  villains  and  cowardly  row- 
dies." 

"Has  he  lived  long  in  this  city?"  I  asked. 

"About  fifteen  years.  He'd  been  transported  to  Botany  Bay, 
had  he  not  left  Ireland  when  he  did,  and  he  left  it  in  a  hurry, 
too,  I  can  tell  you.  He  first  opened  a  three-cent  grog-shop 
and  a  fence  in  the  Five  Points ;  that's  where  he  got  his  first  start. 
Three  or  four  years  afterwards  he  fitted  up  that  rum-mill  of 
his  in  Chatham  street,  and  ever  since  it  was  opened  it  has  been 
the  resort  of  the  better  class  of  knucksmen,  cracksmen,  low  pol- 
iticians, prize-fighters,  and  that  kind  of  stock." 

"They  say  he  has  a  good  deal  of  political  influence  in  the 
city?"  I  asked,  merely  by  way  of  keeping  up  a  conversation,  as 
I  knew  anything  uttered  by  any  person  whatever,  against 
McGovern.  was  anything  but  agreeable  to  the  Major's  feelings. 

"Yes,  he  baa  with  the  stock  that  visits  his  whiskey-mill,  and 
some  among  the  lower  orders  of  Irish." 

"What  has  made  him  so  popular  with  the  Irish?"   I  asked. 

"A  hundred  things,"  replied  Chapin.  "  He  gets  city  contracts, 
and  keeps  them  in  work;  trusts  them  for  rum  at  his  dead-fall; 
gets  up  prize-fights  for  their  amusement,  and  whenever  they're 
'pulled'  by  the  police,  he  gets  them  out  of  quod." 

"Then  he  must  have  some  weight  with  the  police?"  I  said. 


J 


WAKDEBINOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


«0b!  that's  coming  it  rather  rough,  ^liai'|n-  y    ,^ 

<<  Well,  y  .u  just  let  anybody  who  hasn't  f''^"'^' '"  ^'^^t,    ^'- 

swear  to  just  what  ho  wants  or  t";^  f^"^"^™,  joflucntial 
S  ^ny^o?  ^X  S.  S  oXrV  Cclals  -,  that's 
'°:Thara"hard  customer  to  have  for  an  enemy,  ain't  it. 
""-ipllwltr^'chapin  is  amusing  himself  at  our  expense," 
contemptuously  replied  the  ^^y^;  heard  yet  of  telling  a 

enemy  sir.    I  never  make  enemies,  sir,"  replied  the  Mjpr'  be  ^ 
asked  Chapin  if  McGovern,  that  he  knew  oi,  J 

mailing." 


'"-'iw»"»iiiJ-»a»*iii.«»J*»'itii<,w<ii6*' 


*;«?fti'e»--  ^..jMi'p*^; 


8,  when  ho  can 
laud,  or  up  the 

•up  the  river?" 
jT  or  Sing  Sing." 

Is  in  Now  York; 
,  that  wants  to ; 
3  tho  dogs  won't 
hauco  o'  getting 

to  prison?" 
witness  box  and 
th  all  tho  dctcct- 
,ud  is  influential 
h  officials ;  that's 

enemy,  ain't  it, 

at  our  expense," 

ird  yet  of  telling  a 
mt  to  stay  in  Now 

10  cause  to  be  ray 
ed  the  Major,  be- 
)titionoftho"sir." 
between  them,  I 
;  ever  injured  the 

16  city  for  the  last 
[  him  in  some  way 
ig  him  have  an  in- 
own  money,  he  set 
.  And  he  has  put 
rested,  thrown  into 
ling  to  come  down 
;  and  for  no  other 
uldn't  stand  black- 


NEW  TORK. 


279 


"Well,  Chapln,  if  that's  tho  caso,  I'll  try  and  keep  on  the 
right  side  of  him  during  our  stay  hore." 

'•You  can  do  that  in  only  one  way— by  letting  tho  dirty  thief 
rob  you  in  some  way  or  another,"  said  Chapin,  who  now,  with  a 
"good-night,"  left  us,  and  crossed  the  street,  on  his  way  to  his 
own  lodgings. 

"Chapin  draws  a  pretty  rough  picture  of  Mr.  Mac,"  I  ob- 
served. 

"Now,  Jn"'-'  how  on  earth  can  you  give  credence  to  that 
aloek  ,  slanderous  viperf  I've  never  heard  that  fellow 

speak  >cil  of  my  one  yet." 

"That's  true, Major,  nor  have  I  over  heard  any  ono  speak  well 
of  him.  But  there  must  bo  some  truth  or  cause  for  him  speak- 
ing in  the  manner  he  did  of  McGovern,  and  I'm  afraid  we'll 
have  trouble  with  him  yet." 

Though  tho  Major  vouchsafed  mo  no  reply,  it  waa  evident  to 
mo  that  his  faith  in  that  worthy  had  been  considerably  shaken. 
In  one  respect  he  was  entirely  undeceived.  lu  Washington  ho 
had  believed  him  to  be  a  gentleman  in  habits  and  manners,  aa 
well  as  in  integrity  of  principle.  In  New  York  he  found  him  to 
be  tho  associate  of  rowdies,  and  entering  with  zost  into  their 
brutal  habits  and  amusements.  Whether  ho  had  begun  to  sus- 
pect his  honesty  of  purpose,  I  could  not  ascertain,  but  I  thought 
so.  However,  they  always  sooraed  very  friendly,  and  tho  Major 
invariably  treated  McGovern  with  the  most  punctilious  polite- 
ness, while  he  showed  the  Major  the  most  respectful  attention 
whenever  ho  met  him  at  the  hotel,  whore  he  sometimes  came,  or 
in  our  gambling-room.  But  ho  never  had  invited  him  to  his 
place  of  business,  and  did  not  seem  at  all  desirous  of  being  seen 
in  company  with  him  on  the  stroe',  or  other  public  places, 
though  tho  Major,  on  leaving  Washington,  had  no  doubt  ex- 
pected more  flattering  attention  from  his  friend,  Mr.  McGovern, 
while  sojourning  in  the  great  metropolis. 


Jt^  -WANDERINOS  OF  A  TAOABOWD. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

SQUARING    ACCOUNTS. 

The  cud  of  tbo  month  arrived,  and  with  It  our  day  of  settle- 
ment. Mr.  McGovcrn,  the  Major,  and  myself,  wore  alone  m  our 
gambling  room.  When  I  had  figured  up,  and  given  a  few 
preliminary  "  hems,"  I  thus  addrcased  my  audience  "Gentle- 
men, the  bank  Is  winner,  in  the  month,  $8,700  cash,  and  the 
$1,700  owed  it  by  Mr.  McGovcrn."  ,„„„.... 

'•Is   it    mo  owes  the  bank    siventccn    hundred    dollars T 
exclaimed  Mr.  McGovern,  with  a  face  expressive  of  the  blankest 

aatonishuiont.  ,>!„„» 

"That's  the  amount  of  your  losings,  at  your  varloun  plays 

against  it,"  I  coolly  replied.  .!,,„,,„. 

"To  h-1  with  ye'sl  An'  Is  that  what  yer  at,  ye  thieves 
0'  the  worruld!  Kogorra,  that's  fine  tratement,  anyhow,  an 
mcself  working  fur  yo's  Ivery  night  o'  me  life  to  bring  Pjaycrs  to 
ve's  I  An'  I  owe  the  bank  slventeen  hundred  dollars !  faitn,  ye  s 
won't  starve  for  cheek,  anyhow!"  said  Mr.  McGovern  rising 
from  his  chair,  and  rapidly  pacing  the  room.  Ihen  sudden  y 
stopping  in  his  walk,  ho  faced  mo,  and  said,  "  Begorra,  I  made 
a  great  mistake  when  I  took  ye's  for  a  gintleman." 

"Such  language,  sir,"  interrupted  the  Major,  "is  outrageous 
and  there  Is  no  justification  whatever  for  it,  sir.     Mr.  Morris 
demands  of  you  what  he  thinks  to  be  right.    I  told  h.ra  mysdf 
sh  on  the  first  night  we  opened  here,  that  your  play  against  the 
ba^k  was  a  genuine  one,  because  I  believed  it  to  be  so  myself, 

nir ' " 

''A  ginuwine  one,islt1  The  divila  bit!  IfI'dwanted  to 
playin  airnest  fornenst  it,  wouldn't  I  towld  yo's  so  like  a  maul 
There's  no  humbuggin' about  Phil  McGovei  >  1 

.'Very  well,  sir!"  said  the  Major,   "if     lu  say  your  play 
against  the  bank  was  not  a  genuine  one,  have  it  so,  sir . 
^u  Be  J— s,  It's  myselfs  glad  to  see  some  rason  left  in  ye  s  at 
anyrate,  an' as  the  little  matther  Is  explained,  HI  be  clvi  enough 
to  say  I'm  sorry  we  had  any  words  on  such  a  dirthy  suhject.' 

"  In  that  case,"  I  resumed,  "  the  bank  is  wmner  $8,700. 

«  Troth,  it's  in  bad  luck  'tis,  not  to  have  won  fifty  thousand. 
But  It's  thankful  we  ought  to  be  for  shmaU  thmgs." 


d 


iir  day  of  settle- 
(vcre  alone  iu  our 
ind  given  a  few 
lenco  "Gentle- 
TO  cash,  and  the 

ndred  dollars  t" 
ro  (if  tlio  blankest 

ur  various  plays 

er  at,  ye  thieves 
ont,  anyhow,  an' 
)  bring  players  to 
[ollars !  faith,  ye's 
McGovern,  rising 
,  Then  suddenly 
'  Begorra,  I  made 
lan." 

r,  "is  outrageous, 
,  sir.  Mr.  Morris 
[  told  him  myself, 
ir  play  against  the 
it  to  be  80  myself, 

If  I'd  wanted  to 
o's  so  like  a  man  f 
!" 

■)u  say  your  play 
3  it  so,  sir!" 
•ason  left  in  ye's  at 
I'll  be  civil  enough 
,  dirthy  subject." 
inner  $8,700." 
(von  fifty  thousand, 
dings." 


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281 


"Out  of  this  Bum  is  to  come  $514  for  the  fitting  up  of  this 
room,"  I  continued. 

"  Fair  and  aisy,  Misther  Morris.  Split  that  small  Item  be- 
twane  jersilf  an'  the  Major,  aa  ye  plaze,  for  the  divil  a  cint  of 
it  comes  out  o'  my  share  o'  the  money,  mind  that,  now  I" 

"  'Tis  but  Tight,  sir,  that  you  should  pay  your  share  of  the 
expenses,  sir ! "  said  the  Jlajor. 

"  Divil  a  bit  o'  right  in  it,  M^jor.  The  room  was  for  yer  own 
convanience,  entirely.  'Twas  myself  was  to  bring  the  b'ys  to 
ye's,  an'  didn't  I  bring  lots  uv  'em;  so  pay  yer  own  expmses,  for 
divil  a  cent  of  it  '11  ye'a  get  from  Phil  McGovern." 

"Very  well,  sir,  if  youthmk  that  just,  have  it  so,  air!" 
exclaimed  the  Major,  in  a  voice  choked  with  passion. 

"  Well,  what  shall  I  do  now  f  "  I  asked. 

"  Do,  is  it  f  Settle  up  the  game,  ye  spalpeen,  an'  give  to  each 
man  what  belongs  to  him." 

"  Then  there  is  $2,900  coming  to  you,  sir,"  I  politely  replied, 
taking  no  notice  of  his  insulting  manner. 

"  By  the  powers,  that's  good,  anyhow.  Thin  hand  mo  $1,900, 
me  b'y,  an'  I'll  lavo  the  thousand  in  the  bank." 

"Three  thousand  dollars,  sir,  is  too  small  a  sum  to  bank  such 
a  game  as  we  are  dealing  here,  Mr.  McGovern,"  interposed  the 
Major.    "  We  should  have  a  bank  of  at  least  $G,000." 

"  The  divil  a  bit  small  is  it,  an'  if  yer  players  caa  whi  it,  sure 
I  wish  'em  joy  of  it.  Whii  they  win  thim  $3,000,  I'll  bring  'em 
twice  as  much  more  to  win  in  the  snap  o'  me  fingers." 

Three  thousand  dollars  in  bank,  and  one-third  belonging  to 
Mr.  McGovern!  Well,  that  was  better  than  when  we  first 
started  in  partnership  with  that  worthy,  for  he  had  not  a  single 
dollar  in  the  game. 

Agam  deceived  I  Poor,  frcuerous-hcarted,  chivalric  old  Major ! 
And  for  the  fortieth  time  porh.ips  in  your  life,  that,  meaning  no 
evil  itself,  thougUt  none  of  its  fellow  creatures.  Tour  generous, 
credulous,  and  unsuspicious  nature  ft)rmod  a  rich  pasturage  for 
crafty  knaves  to  batten  ui)():i !  , 

The  footsteps  of  McGovern  had  ticarccly  died  away  upon  the 
staircase,  when  the  Major  seized  bis  hat  and  cane,  and  hastily 
left  the  room,  to  find  reUef  for  his  pent-up  wrath  in  the  open  air. 
He  felt,  poor  old  man,  humiliated,  and  feared  my  taunts;  he 
need  not  have  done  so,  however,  for  I  had  no  wish  to  add  to  hia 
torments.  *-     —  -     > 


WANDISBIIIGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

Shortly  after  Wb  leaving,  I  Ufted  up  the  ^'jdowsash  and 
looked  into  the  street.  There,  a  few  doors  away,  stood  the  M^or, 
motionless  on  the  curb-stone,  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  va^^ncy,  evi- 
dently in  the  state  of  mind  described  L/  the  phrase,     a  brown 
S"    I  withdrew  my  head  and  closed  the  window,  lest  he 
might  suddenly  turn  and  detect  me  in  the  a«t  of  watching  him 
That  night  our  game  ran  until  daylight,  and  we  closed  it  loser 
•490.     Neither  McGovern  nor  any  of  his  cronies  came  near  the 
place  during  the  evening;  but  shortly  after  Ughting  up  on  the 
foUowing  one,  Mcr,cvern  made  his  appearance,  and  showing  signs 
of  bemg  in  a  s.eat  hurry,  he  walked  up  to  the  Major  and  asked 
him  if  he  had  $i  ,000  he  could  loan  him  for  a  few  days. 

"I  have  not  that  amount  of  money  belonging  to  you  in  the 
game,sLr,"  replied  the  Major,  coldly.  "We  lost  four  hmidred 
and  ninety  dollars  last  night." 

"  An'  what  the  divil  if  ye  did  ?  Can't  ye  give  me  a  thousand 
dollars  for  a  few  days,  when  I  nade  it  t"  .    ,    ^t      _„ 

"  Our  "loney,  sk,  is  all  deposited  hi  bank,  except  what  I  carry 
with  me  to  bank  this  game,  sir!"  said  the  Major,  still  more  coldly. 
"  Blood-an-ounsI  Can't  you  untherstand  a  gintlemanwhenhe 
Boakes  EngUsh.  I  want  the  money  an'  must  have  it ;  there  II  be 
iMhuis  left  to  oarry  on  yomr  game,  if  ye's  give  me  a  thousand  out 
av  what  ye  have  there." 

"If  you  desire  it,  sir,  I  will  pay  over  to  you  what  belongs  to 
you  out  of  the  banking  money." 
"  HovT  much  might  that  be,  Majort" 
"Eight  hundred  and  thirty-six  dollars  and  sixty  cents,  sir,"  re- 

piled  the  exact  Major. 

"  Give  it  to  me,  thin !"  . , 

The  Major  counted  out  the  money  and  handed  it  over  to  Wm. 
«  Now,  Major  darlint,  jlst  Ihid  me  the  loan  of  enough  to  make 

np  the  thousand;  sure  I'll  give  it  to  ye,  in  yer  fist,  m  a  day  or, 

two'"  »t         ^ 

"I  have  no  more  money  in  the  bank  oclonging  to  you,    an- 
swered the  Major,  in  tho  freezing  tones  ho  had  used  throughout 

*^"is*U  Sn'  me  the  loan  of  a  few  dirthy  dollars  that  ye  arV' 
roared  Mr.  McGovern,  in  a  rage.  "Begorra,  there's  fnnds  for  yel 
S  afther  all  I  done  for  ye's  here.  By  the  Howly  Stjathenck 
I'd  a  bet  tho  full  o'  both  me  fists  o'  hundther  dollar  bills,  I  couia 


jgipiw  wmWlLIHiMI 


JND.    ■ 

le  window-sash  and 
ay,  Btood  the  Major, 
ied  on  vacancy,  ovi- 
le  phrase,  "a  brown 
the  window,  lest  he 
act  of  watching  him. 
ind  we  closed  it  loser 
ronies  came  near  the 
r  lighting  up  on  the 
ce,  and  showing  signs 
the  Major  and  asked 
a  few  days, 
mging  to  you  in  the 
Ve  lost  four  hundred 

e  give  me  a  thousand 

:,  except  what  I  carry 
lajor,  still  more  coldly, 
d  a  gintleman  when  he 
isthave  it;  there'll  be 
jlve  me  a  thousand  out 

0  you  what  belongs  to 


md  sixty  cents,  sir,"  re- 

handed  it  over  to  him. 
loan  of  enough  to  make' 
,  in  yerfist,  in  a  day  or, 

Dclonging  to  you,"  an-" 
ho  had  used  throughout 

thy  dollars  that  ye  ar«i," 
ra,  there's  frinds  for  ye  1 
he  Howly  St.  Patherick, 
ther  dollar  bills,  I  could 


SQUARING  ACCOUNTS. 


S83 


av  had  every  cint  ye  had  in  the  wurruld  for  the  azin.  It's  de- 
saved  I  was  whin  I  took  ye'a  undther  me  wing,  and  brought  ye's 
to  New  York." 

"  Mr.  McGovem,  we  are  now,  sir,  arranging  a  business  transac- 
tion. I  have  paid  over  to  you,  at  your  desire,  your  stake  in  our 
bank.  Whenever  you  wish  to  resume  your  interest  with  us  here, 
you  can  do  so  by  putting  up  your  money." 

The  red  face  of  Mr.  McGovern  waxed  purple.  He  had  made 
a  miss  instead  of  a  hit. 

"  What  the  divil  do  ye  mane.  Major  t  Bad  luck  to  the  cint  I'd 
touch  at  all,  at  all,  only  I've  pressin'  nade  of  it  Just  now.  Haven't 
I  towld  ye's  always,  that  whenever  ye's  wanted  money  I'd  lave 
it  wid  ye's  in  a  moment  t" 

"  If  you  desire  to  retain  your  interest  in  the  game,  we  want 
your  money  now,"  replied  the  Major. 

"Begorra,  but  that  same's  a  shabby  way  to  thrate  an'  owld 
frind  whin  he's  short  taken." 

"  I'm  treating  you  with  perfect  justice,  sir,"  the  Mt^or  returned. 

«  An'  I'm  to  get  no  share  in  the  bank  till  I  hands  ye's  the  cash, 
is  it  that  ye  mane,  Majorf" 

"  None,  sir,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

"Thin  take  a  frind's  advice,  an'  close  yer  dhthy  game  if  ye've 
any  respect  for  the  heads  that  ye  carry  on  yer  shouldthers." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  threaten  me,  you  infernal  scoundrel  I"  shout- 
ed the  Major,  springing  to  his  feet  and  snatching  his  cana 

"Divll  a  bit!"  replied  Mr.  McGovern, in  the  most  lamb-like 
tones;  "  it's  only  offerin'  ye  a  bit  o'  flrindly  advice  I  am.  Musha, 
it's  a  grate  frind  I  am  to  ye's  intirely.  Major.  Good  avenin'  to 
ye's,  gentlemen,"  he  said, with  a  mock  bow,  "fur  fear  the  look  of 
Phil  McGovem  might  choke  ye'a,  I'll  take  him  out  o'  yer  sight," 
with  which  parting  salute  he  left  the  room. 

The  Mi^jor,  after  this  little  rencontre,  paced  up  and  down  the 
room  in  a  state  of  terrible  excitement;  but  according  to  his 
custoni  in  such  cases,  he  did  not  give  vent  to  his  feelings  in 
curses,  as  another  might  have  done,  but  only  paced  up  and  down 
in  moody  silence,  with  his  cane  stuck  under  his  arm,  at  a  right 
angle. 

"Well,  Major,"  I  ventured  presently,  "what  do  you  intend 
doing  now  T" 

"I  shall  leave  for  Richmond  to-morrow,  and  stay  there,  sir. 


,  * 


WAilDBBINGS  OF  A.  VAOABOOT). 


T 


284 

It's  the  only  place  fit  for  a  gentleman  to  live  in     ^  f  }''.' ^;;;*^'^ 

Sf^nS,  decided  m.  on  remaining,  ^»ln.t  n.?  better  Judg- 
ment— an  error  I  noil  greatly  regret."  ,„„„,>  thm  to- 

"Ttoi  you  have  conelndod  to  remain  liero  no  longer  tbon  to 

"""n" L,  I duJl  Btart  tor  Rlehmond to-morrow  morning, a.  I 

""^  men'l  .haU  remain  her.  and  deal  ll.ro,"  I  replied,  with  the 

"T  whe?.rsnddenly  aronnd  and  gazed  at  me  in  .peeohle» 
a.S„l,CSf  rtt  he'though.  .  had  eurely  gone  demented. 

-.t  ."hr-^eir^r  !?t;rrrpt:o  ..h  ^  .^ 
>'Tf:„s^r;r:;iztT>rin™  j,r.it.m^^^ 

T^oS"^ror  expeot  youto  mnany ri.!.  of  the  Idnd,  Major, 
■\rfl"h::h:ugh..wa.ontUe  bluff, ''""''- "-fXS 

■»  -•-■;=^of  "wlirSwr^S'^^ii-d;  r.rm 


,oin>. 

,  in.  I  feel,"  he  said 
36,  "that  I  liavedo- 
id  disgusted  with  my- 
,f  unmitigated  rascals 
ity  the  next  day  after 
Iced  up  the  first  night 
the  time,  hut  the  ex- 
re,  and  fitting  up  this 
which  I  Baw  a  chance 
Anst  my  hetter  judg- 

re  no  longer  than  to- 

•morrow  morning,  as  I 

0,"  I  replied,  with  the 

d  at  me  in  speechless 

urely  gone  demented. 

lad!" 

ptible  Irish  ruCaan  can 

iture,  for  all  the  money 
ue  into  it.  I  don't  be- 
that  brutal  villain  has 

risk  of  the  khid,  Major; 

lutwhen  he  found  I  wa» 
ctly  as  I  said,  he  tried 
r,  to  dissuade  me  from 
(ved  this  to  be.  Hebeg- 
lane  project,  as  he  call- 
iny  being  murdered  or 
able,  and  determined  on 

I  on  board  the  Richmond 
;ood-bye,"  he  extracted 
m  posted  up  on  all  my 
i  case  I  failed  to  succeed 


IN  THE  LOCK-UP. 

there  as  I  anticipated,  I  would  immediately  joUi  him  in  Rich- 
mond. 

Even  at  the  last  moment  the  old  follow  tried  to  induce  me  to 
abandon  ray  foolish  project  and  accompany  him,  offering  toleavo 
the  steamer,  and  wait  for  the  next  one,  in  order  to  give  mo  an 
opiiortunity  for  malting  my  preparations  for  leaving ;  but  I  was 
inexorable. 

"Good-bye,  Jack,  my  boy,"  he  said,  as  the  gang-plank  was 
about  being  withdrawn.  "You  know  where  Richmond  lies,  and 
whatever  happens,  you've  always  got  a  friend  there,  hi  Major 
George  Jenks." 

At  that  moment  I  would  have  given  the  last  dollar  I  possess- 
ed in  the  world,  had  my  baggage  been  on  board  that  steamer, 
and  I  ready  to  accompany  the  Major  on  his  exodus  from  Now 
York.  But  foolish  pride  withheld  me,  and  prevented  me  from 
putting  Into  execution  the  greatest  desire  of  my  heart. 

I  watched  the  steamer  until  her  smoke-stacks  were  lost  in  the 
dim  distance,  then  retraced  my  steps  to  my  hotel,  feeling  more 
sorrowful  and  lonely  than  I  had  ever  felt  before  in  my  life. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


IN  THE  LOCK-UP. 


On  xny  return  from  seeing  the  Major  oflf  for  Richmond,  I  Im- 
mediately sought  the  advice  and  assistance  of  Mr.  Chapin,  for 
want  of  better,  made  him  acquainted  with  the  state  of  my 
affairs,  -and  confided  to  him  my  Intention  to  keep  open  my  faro- 
rooms  at  all  hazards.  Having  heard  me  to  the  end,  he  gave  a 
discouraging  shake  of  his  head,  and  at  once  advised  me  to  fol- 
low the  Major  as  soon  as  practicable. 

"  You'd  make  a  d— n  nice  job  of  It,  going  up  against  McGovem 
and  his  bruisers.  Why,  they'll  bust  you  all'  up  In  five  minutes, 
and  what  are  you  going  to  do  about  itt  No,  no,  McGovem  and 
his  stripe  rule  the  roost  here,  and  my  best  advice  to  you,  as  a 
friend.  Is  to  close  up  yer  crib,  and  make  yourself  scarce  round 
these  dlggin's,  fur  a  while,  anyhow." 

But  this  advice  by  no  means  coincided  with  my  desires. 


886 


WANDKKINQS  OF  A  VAOABOND. 


"Where's  that  fellow,  Kline,  that  got  such  a  thrashing  in  our 
rooma  the  other  nlghtt"  I  asked,  not  even  thanking  him  for  his 

advice. 

"  Down  at  Johnny  Walker's  dance-house." 

"  I'll  give  that  fellow  five  dollars  a  night,  if  he  can  protect  my 

room." 

"  C-h-r-ls-t  1  that  fellow  wouldn't  be  a  marker  for  that  gang  of 
Phil  McGovem'rf.  But  hold  on,  I've  got  It;  there's  Clem  Jones, 
another  Five-Pointer,  and  the  best  fighter  in  North  America. 
Now,  if  you  can  get  him  and  Kline  joined,  you'd  have  a  full  team 
in  harness.    Could  you  afford  to  hire  both  f  " 

'« I  can  afford  to  pay  for  any  protection." 

"Then  by  God  you're  all  right!"  swore  Mr.  Chapin,  jumping 
up  from  his  chair  and  dancing  a  Jim  Crow  jig  round  the  room. 
"  C-h-r-l-8-t  I "  he  sung  out,  when  he  had  finished  his  exercise. 
"  Them  two  fellers  can  whip,  in  a  lump,  all  the  shoulder-hitters 
in  New  York." 

"  Where  is  Mr.  Jones  to  be  found  t " 

"  Well,  he  makes  his  loafing  place  around  the  Five  Points." 

"  Couldn't  you  find  them,  and  bring  ihem  both  to  my  room, 
right  away  t "  I  asked. 

"I  don't  know— I'll  try  to;"  and  pff  iie  started  without 

another  word. 

Two  hours  had  scarcely  gone  around,  before  Mr.  Chapin 
entered  my  faro  room  with  the  two  aforementioned  gentlemen. 
Both  were  large,  powertiilly  built  specimens  of  the  genus  homo. 
Their  powerful  frames  and  bra"  ny  limbs,  together  with  their 
coarse,  heavy  features,  stamped  them  at  once  with  that  gladia- 
torial distinction  which  they  enjoyed  in  common  with  many  of 
their  compeers  of  the  bloody  Sixth.  With  them,  a  face  was  a 
"mug"  to  be  "mashed;"  a  man,  a  lay  figure  to  be  sent  to 
"  grass,"  with  scientific  precision,  by  a  blow  from  their  sledge- 
hammer fists.  According  to  Mr.  Chapin,  they  had  been  a  terror 
to  the  rowdies  for  years,  who  visited  the  low  dance-houses  in 
the  classic  neighborhood  of  the  Five  Points.  I  opened  my 
business  with  these  muscular  gentlemen  by  offering  them  a  dose 
of  whiskey,  and  when  they  had  tossed  it  down  their  capacious 
throats,  I  proceeded  to  explain  what  I  required  of  them.  We 
easily  came  to  terms;  Messrs.  Kline  and  Jones  agreeing  to  per- 
form what  fighting  I  required,  in  consideration  of  the  paltry  sum 


OND. 


h  a  tbrashing  in  our 
thanking  him  for  bis 


if  he  can  protect  mj 

rker  for  that  gang  of 
;  there's  Clem  Jones, 
■  in  North  America, 
ou'd  have  a  full  team 


^r.  Chapln,  jumping 
jig  round  the  room, 
finished  his  exercise. 
1  the  shoulder-hitters 


i  the  Five  Points." 
3m  both  to  my  room, 

iie  started  without 

,  before  Mr.  Chapin 
nentioned  gentlemen, 
sof  the  genus  homo. 
B,  together  with  their 
nee  with  that  gladia- 
ommon  with  many  of 
h  them,  a  face  was  a 

figure  to  be  sent  to 
ow  from  their  sledge- 
;hey  had  been  a  terror 

low  dance-houses  in 
Points.  I  opened  my 
y  offering  them  a  dose 
down  their  capacious 
equired  of  them.  We 
Jones  agreeing  to  per- 
ition  of  the  paltry  sum 


IN   THE   LOCK-L'l'. 


887 


of  five  dollars  ea«h  per  night,  payable  nightly  on  the  closing  of 
the  bank.  "The  services  which  I  require  of  you,  gentlemen,"  I 
said,  "  is  to  protect  my  room.  To  that  end,  I  shall  expect  you 
to  be  on  hand  every  evening  when  I  liyht  up,  and  remain  until  I 
close  for  the  night.  You  are  to  remain  in  the  street,  and  keep 
yourselves  from  observation  as  much  aa  practicable,  because  I  do 
not  wish  your  business  here  to  be  suspected  by  any  one  except 
ourselves.  I  shall  give  you  a  signal  by  which  you  will  know  if 
you  are  wanted.  You  aie  not  to  come  unless  you  bear  that 
signal,  but  when  you  do  come,  come  with  a  rush."  I  took  from 
my  pocket  a  dog  whistle  given  me  by  Mr.  Lane  on  the  day  we 
parted  in  Richmond,  and  blew  a  shrill  blast.  "That's  the  signal, 
gentlemen,  and  when  you  hear  that  you  may  know  you're 
wanted,  and  can't  get  here  too  quick.  If  I  only  desire  you  to 
put  some  one  into  the  street  who  is  disturbing  the  peace  and 
comfort,  and  making  a  muss  in  the  room,  you  are  to  do  it  as 
gently  as  possible,  and  put  the  person  out  without  hurting  him 
if  you  can.  But  if  any  rowdies  attempt  to  break  into  my  place, 
or  in  any  manner  commit  violence  about  the  premises,  I'll  give 
you  two  dollars  extra  for  everyone  of  them  that  you  will  pum- 
mel well." 

"  Bet  yer  guts  we'll  give  em  J — s,"  said  Mr.  Kline,  with  an 
ominous  shake  of  his  head,  at  tne  same  time  straightening  his 
right  arm  and  throwing  out  his  clenched  fist  with  a  jerk  in  imi- 
tation of  that  movement  known  among  the  "fancy" as  "deliver- 
ing from  vhe  shoulder." 

"Air  you  specting  ennybuddy's  goin  ter  make  a  smash, 
herel"    inquired  Mn  Jones. 

"  Well,  I  cannot  say,"  I  replied,  "but  I'm  afraid  of  that  Mc- 
Govera  gang,  and  if  you  see  any  of  them  prowling  about  the 
place,  keep  your  eyes  open." 

"  I  knows  them  roosters." 

"  Wa-al  now,  if  Kline  and  me  can't  clean  out  them  cheese- 
eaters,  I'll  never  show  my  mug  to  the  Pints  again,"  said  Mi 
Jones. 

"  There  ain't  no  hazard  there,  Jonesy,  old  boy.  It's  a  flake 
o'snow  to  a  brick  house  you  fellers  can  doit,"  cried  Mr.  Chapin. 

"  I  think,  Mr.  Kline,  you've  a  small  settlement  of  yoar  own  to 
make  with  McGovem,  if  I'm  not  mistaken." 

"  Not  as  I  knows  on,"  he  replied. 


1138  "WAKUERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

<.Do  you  remember  the  flght  you  were  engaged  in,  In  this  room, 

^  ^^^M  rfllcm t^^^  knoelced  the  Idnlcs  out  o'me,  then, 

^'°' U  L  because  you  had  not  a  fair  chanee.  While  you  ^vere 
fighing  witX  "hL,  McGovern  hit  you  on  the  head  from  be- 
md  .vith  a  chair,  and  knocked  you  down." 

;:|cT  t  mdTd  It  wasTeo"  ardly  aet,"  I  replied. 

;<m'at  more  eould  you  expect  from  such  a  dirty,  cowardly 

^^li'p^cS  hS  Sii  for  tha,"Baid  Mr.  Kline,  shakinga 

grittiight  teeth  together  till  the  sound  was  pai^ully  distinct, 

^^^\f  w^Tm  McG^vern  that  knocked  Kline  down  the 
other  nigW'sJd  Chapin,  after  they  had  gone;  "it  was  Joe 

''^-m'at'sthedifferencewho  knocked  him  downf"Ireplled,"so 
i,AtWnk8  it  waa  McGovern,  it  answers  my  purpose. 
^<'ph?w!"h? whistled.  ''Not  a  bad  job  for  a  youngster  like 

y^x"       .,  o  ofrnnrr  lock  to  bo  placcd  on  the  door,  and  a  wicket 
I  erased  a  strong  lock  »»  ^'^might  see  the  faces  of  those  de- 

Z  came  near  me,  and  I  began  to  feel  quite  secure. 

I  now  began  to  be  patronized  by  a  °io"«  ^^^Pf*'**^^!,"^^ 
Bincel  hadridthe  room  of  many  roughs  .nd  loafers,  who  had 
Eaerly  maSe  it  their  loafing  pla.e.  But  the  game  was  nothtag 
m^TlZy  as  it  had  been  before.  Still,  it  was  ^^^^J^JJ^' 
p^^jr^d  Though  under  considerable  expense,  I  had  strong 


I  iiii>iii^ 


)KD. 


igod  in,  In  this  rooaa, 
inks  out  o'  mo,  tlien, 


:e.    Wliilo  you  were 
)n  tlio  head  from  be- 


"  I  replied. 

ch  a  dirty,  cowardly 

Mr.  Kline,  shaking  a 

Bsponded. 

;hat,"  said  Mr.  Kline, 

•as  painfully  distinct, 

back-bone. 

■omlsing  to  be  at  their 

;ked  Kline  down  the 
I  gone ;  "it  was  Joe 

idownT"Ireplled,"80 

purpose." 
b  for  a  youngster  like 

the  door,  and  a  wicket 
3  the  faces  of  those  de- 
1.  Several  persons  who 
there  I  shut  out  of  the 
ly  pains,  bat  I  happily 
ans  were  duly  at  their 
Neither  McGovern  nor 
«d  US  in  his  company, 
[uite  secure. 

mo-e  i2spectable  class, 
,8  ind  loafers,  who  had 
It  the  game  was  nothing 
111,  it  was  every  day  im- 
e  expense,  I  had  strong 


IN  THE  lOCK-UP. 

hopes,  if  not  molostod,  of  nifikin,;^  monoy.  I  kept  a  negro  Rcrvnnt 
to  attend  the  door,  and  paid  Air.  Chnpin  ten  dollars  per  day  to 
assist  mo  lu  dealing  tlio  game.  Tliis  was,  for  tlio  times,  high 
wages,  but  Chapin  was  u.snful  in  many  ways  to  nie.  lie  was  ac- 
quainted witli  many  rc3peetal)Io  faio-plr.ycrs,  and  also  with  tbo 
rougher  characters  I-was  trying  to  keep  away  from  niy  place. 
For  ton  days  cverytliiug  went  on  smoothly  and  peaceably,  and  my 
bank  was  about  $G00  winner,  besides  its  attendant  expenses. 
The  constant  fear  of  a  visitation  from  the  rouglis,  under  which  I 
first  Labored,  wore  off  gradually,  and  as  time  passed  without  any 
demonstration  from  that  quarter,  I  began  to  droam  of  security, 
and  to  make  up  my  mind  tliat  McGovern  had  abandoned  his 
hostile  intentions,  if  ho  had  entertained  any.  But  wo  aro  born 
to  disappointmeiats  in  this  world,  and  I  was  not  to  miss  my 
birthright. 

One  night  while  tlio  game  was  going  quietly  forward,  and  the 
hands  of  the  clock  pointed  to  twelve,  a  violent  ring  at  the  bell 
caused  me  to  rise  from  my  chair  and  approach  the  wicljot  to  re- 
connoitre. I  discovered  on  the  outside  the  figures  of  eig.  t  or  nine 
persons,  and  with  his  face  pressed  closely  against  the  wicket,  Joe 
Dclancy,  the  constant  companion  of  McGovern,  and  standing 
close  behind  him  I  discovered  tho  pock-marked  features  of 
another  of  his  gang,  named  Larry  Mooney. 

"  What's  wanted,  gentlemen  f "  I  inquired. 

"Wanted,  is  it?  We  want  to  get  in.  W^hat  the  h— 1  do  ye 
suppose  wo  want,"  answered  the  voice  of  Dolancy. 

"Ton  must  excuse  mo,  gentlemen;  my  room  is  private." 

"Is  it?  Then  I'll  d—n  soon  make  it  public,"  roared  Delancy, 
at  the  same  time  placing  his  shoulder  to  the  door,  and  throwing 
upon  it  the  whole  weight  of  a  by  no  means  delicate  frame.  But 
the  door  did  not  yield  to  his  strergth.  "  Give  me  a  lift  here,  b'ys," 
he  shouted,  and  in  an  instant  Mooney  and  two  more  of  the  gang 
came  to  his  assistance.  "  Heave  ho,  and  hero  she  goes,"  sung 
out  Delancy  in  the  true  Matelot  strain,  and  the  whole  party 
surged  with  might  and  main  against  the  door.  Quick  as  thought 
I  rushed  to  tho  window,  threw  up  the  sash,  and,  putting  my 
whistle  +0  my  lips,  sounded  upon  it  a  shrill  note.  I  then  ordered 
Chapin  to  buy  In  what  checks  were  among  the  players ;  but  It 
was  unnecessary,  as  they  had  already  passed  them  in,  .and  received 
theh:  money  for  them.    But  three  players  had  any  chips  at  the 


aoo 


■WANUEKINQS  OF  A   VAQABOMD. 


tlmo,  consequently,  that  part  of  the  buHlncss  was  soon  flnlBbed. 
idtoiether,  we  had  but  seven  of  our  patrons  present  Tvhou  the 
attack  on  the  door  commenced,  and  these  showed  the  most  al.Ject 
and  cowardly  fear  the  moment  the  party  on  the  outsldo  cm- 
mencod  trying  to  break  It  down.  The  room  which  looked  on  the 
Srcet  was  on  the  second  story,  and  had  no  exit  except  the  stair- 
case and  door  now  in  posscs-slon  of  the  rowdies.  Our  players 
rushed  to  the  windows,  and  would  have  tried  to  make  their  es- 
cape to  the  street  below,  by  jumping  from  them,  wh  ch  would  cer- 
tainly have  resulted  in  broken  limbs.  If  not  loss  of  life  to  some  of 
them,  had  not  Chapin  and  n.yself  prevented  them  from  doing 

""'•VhoJo'snV  danger,  gentlemen,"  cried  Mr.  Chapin;  "keep 
cool  a  moment  and  you  will  see  one  of  the  nicest  mills  you  over 

"""jones  and  One  were  on  the  track  of  the  McGoveruitcs,  an.l 
cat-like  and  unseen  had  been  watching  their  movements  snico 
their  first  appearance  in  the  street,  and  on  their  ascending  the 
stairway  had  crept  to  the  entrance,  where  they  waited  impatiently 
for  the  signal  to  commence  hostilities. 

A  few  of  those  powerful  surges  against  the  rickety  old  door 
tore  off  its  lock,  and  in  rushed  the  McGovernltes  (some  of  them 
with  moro  force  than  elegance,  caused  by  the  sudden  yloUhng  of 
the  lock)  with  the  redoubtable  Delancy  at  their  head.     Ho  took 
a  rapid  survey  of  the  room,  and  seeing  nothing  to  oppose  him, 
and  only  a  set  of  cowering  men  huddled  near  the  windows  ho 
shouted  to  his  followers,  "  Come  on,  b'ys,  let's  clane  out  the  .V-n 
crib.    Dash  iverything  yc's  find  out  o'  the  wlndys."  And  suiting 
the  action  to  the  word,  and  by  way  of  encouraging  his  comrades, 
he  seized  hold  of  the  faro-table,  on  which  were  all  the  tools  of 
the  came.  Some  of  his  companions  came  at  once  to  his  assistance, 
and  the  table  was  already  lifted  from  the  floor,  and  being  borne 
towards  the  windows,  when  the  ruffians  were  pounced  upon  by 
Kline  and  Jones,  both  armed  with  clubs.     It  was  a  complete 
Burprise,  and  a  complete  walk-over  for  Mr.  Kline  and  his  com- 
panion. The  McGovemites  were  allowed  no  time  to  recover  from 
their  surprise,  until  they  were  knocked  off  their  pins,  and  lay 
stretched  on  the  floor,  to  a  man.    In  this  condition  they  wore 
kicked  and  stamped  by  the  boots  of  Jones  and  Kline,  until  they 
lost  all  consciousness.    After  which  those  worthies  threw  them 


..MiiMiiiiiiir 


JKD. 

18  waa  soon  tlDlsbed. 
IS  present  when  the 
owed  the  most  nlijcct 
un  the  outside  com- 
i  which  looked  on  the 
jxlt  except  tlio  slalr- 
wdlea.  Our  players 
cd  to  make  tboir  es- 
,om,  which  would  cor- 
lossoflife  tosomoof 
ted  them  from  doing 

Mr.  Chapln;  "keep 
nicest  mills  you  ever 

le  McGovernltes,  and 
heir  movements  sliico 
11  their  ascending  the 
ley  waited  Impatiently 

t  the  rickety  old  door 
ernltes  (some  of  them 
the  sudden  yielding  of 

their  head.  Ho  took 
)thing  to  oppose  him, 
near  the  windows,  ho 
et's  clane  out  the  (\ — n 

windys."  And  suiting 
Duraglng  his  comrades, 
1  were  all  the  tools  of 
t  once  to  his  assistance, 

floor,  and  being  borne 
vere  pounced  upon  by 
8.  It  was  a  complete 
Ir.  Kline  and  his  com- 
QO  time  to  recover  from 
off  their  pins,  and  lay 
lis  condition  they  wore 
8  and  Kline,  nntil  they 
)e  worthies  threw  them 


IN   TUK   LUCK-UP. 


801 


one  by  one  Into  the  struct,  like  so  many  slaughtered  hogs,  to  re- 
cover the  best  way  they  could.  The  whole  affair,  from  beginning 
to  end,  did  not  last  more  than  ten  minutes,  and  the  dragging  the 
victims  from  the  room,  and  throwing  thorn  Into  the  street,  occu-. 
pled  at  least  half  tliat  time.  Our  patrons  lied  incontinently  as  soon 
as  the  McGovoniites  wore  floored  by  the  prowess  of  Mensrs.  Jones 
and  Kline.  Tlie  work  of  these  worthies  being  llnished,  Chapln 
and  myself  were  fain  to  put  out  the  lights,  our  servant  having 
escaped  from  the  scene  with  the  players.  Wo  then  sot  np  the 
broken  door  against  the  entrance,  and  descended  Into  the  street, 
which  was  lighted  by  a  dim  moon  in  Its  last  quarter.  Lights 
could  be  seen  shining  In  many  of  the  buildings  along  the  Bowery; 
but  not  a  soul  was  stirring,  as  far  as  wo  could  see  up  and  down 
the  broad  street.  Mr.  Jones  and  his  comrade  were  standing  on 
the  pavement  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  discueslng  their  late  battle 
while  gazing  at  their  victims. 

I  now  began  to  feel  uneasy  about  the  condition  of  the  de- 
feated rowdies,  and  asked  Kline  If  ho  thought  any  of  them  had 
been  seriously  injured. 

"  Ii\jured  I "  exclaimed  Mr.  Chapln,  In  the  greatest  astonish- 
ment. "  Why,  you  can't  hurt  one  o'  them  roosters;  they  relish  a 
lickln'  every  now  and  then." 

I  went  up  to  one  who  was  lying  doubled  up  near  the  pavo  - 
ment,  caught  hold  of  his  leg  and  shook  It,  in  order  to  see  if  I 
could  not  bring  him  to  a  state  of  consciousness,  when  ho  suddenly 
raised  bis  foot,  and  let  fly  such  a  kick  at  me  as  sent  me  into  the 
middle  of  the  street,  and  laid  me  out  there  on  the  flat  of  my  back. 
I  was  rescued  from  this  perilous  position  by  the  benevolent 
Jones,  who  soothingly  remarked,  "  Sarved  ye  right,  he  oughter 
kicked  the  head  o'  ye.  Don't  you  know  them  fellers  is  danger- 
ousest  when  they're  dead." 

On  the  way  to  my  hotel,  we  stepped  into  a  coffee-house  and 
"  liquored,"  after  which  I  gave  my  guardians  their  wages,  and 
two  dollars  each,  as  was  agreed,  for  the  eight  McGovornitos 
they  bad  so  unmercifully  drubbed;  which  they  received  with 
many  acknowledgments,  and  promised  to  be  at  their  post  on 
the  following  night.  Mr.  Chapln  accompanied  me  to  my  hotel, 
and  as  he  was  about  leaving  me,  I  asked  him  if  he  thought  I 
should  succeed  in  keeping  my  room  open. 

"  Keep  it  open ! "  exclaimed  my  companion,    "  C 1,  yer  up 


jj92  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAQABOKD. 

in  the  pictures  now.    Whenever  one  has  won  a  first-class  fight 
in  New  York,  he's  established  himself.' 

"^  Whin  I  had  eaten  my  brc-^vfast  in  the  n^on^i°g:J^;^^"\^i7° 
to  the  gambling  room,  where  I  fouud  my  servant  aetthng  things 
after  iSrSght's  Bcrimmage;  I  sent  for  a  carpenter  and  had 
?he  bro7en°down  door  repaired,  and  in  the  evemng  I  was  onco 
more  ready  to  receive  company.  I  still  felt  uneasy,  lest  some  of 
rrowdieswere  severely  hurt,notthatIcnU,rtam^^^^^ 

murder,  was  anything  but  pleasant.  ^ 

Wirectlv  Mr.  Chapin  made  his  appearance,  I  sent  him  out  to 

of  the  rowdies  were  dead,  but,  instead  of  that,  were  all  Dui  iwo 
on  their  feet  and  ready  to  stand  another  flogging. 
«  And  did  you  learn  if  they  were  seriously  hurt  ?  -^ 
"One  on 'cm  h«H  got  his  head  mashed  pretty  badly." 

llS^i'^er'—;  kill  one  C  them  roosters  with  a  chain 

n^Lr  onthat  n^ght^;-^^^^^^^^^^ 

2,    and  deparL:    Chapin  and  myself  sat  up  until  after  mid- 

.'  »,*  w  nfl  there  were  no  signs  of  more  customers,  we  finally 

ltd  l^o^Ld  we^ttoU.    on  the  following  night   as 

!^n  t  "  Sghted  up,  Chapin  and  my  servant,  as  was  their 

^tom  S'tS^  h?ur,  went  to  their  suppers,  leaving  rae^^^ 

myCm     They  had  been  gone  scarcely  five  n^™«t««' ^^^^^^^/^ 

diJlu  was  rung  violently.    I  hastened  to  opej^^«  ^.'^^f^ 

and  look  out.     I  discovered  several  persons  in  the  uniform  oi 

Scemen.  and,  a«  far  as  I  could  see  from  my  P^-^  «f  ^^ tt 

Sairwaywas  blocked  by  them.  Itherefo  o  concluded  their  num 

bers  were  considerable,  eight  or  ten  at  least. 

"oper  that  door!"  wa«the  surly  reply  to  my  question  of 
f  What   0  you  want,  gentlement" 


IBOND. 

won  a  first-class  fight 

morning,  I  went  down 
servant  settling  things 
r  a  carpenter,  and  had 
the  evening  I  was  onco 
Bit  uneasy,  lest  some  of 
entertained,  personally, 
le  batch  died  from  the 
I,  it  would  not  have  cost 
of  being  dragged  within 
of  aiding  and  abetting 

ranee,  I  sent  him  out  to 
flted  McGovernites.  In 
almost  have  hugged  his 
I  informed  me  that  none 
)fthat,  were  all  but  two 
•  flogging. 
)U8ly  hurt?'* 
1  pretty  badly." 

im  roosters  with  a  chain 

ring  one,  did  any  of  our 
had  scared  them  away. 
)ped  in,  played  an  hour  or 
f  sat  up  until  after  mid- 
ore  customers,  we  fim\lly 
a  the  following  night,  as 
I  my  servant,  as  was  their 
ipers,  leaving  me  alone  in 
3ly  five  minutes,  when  the 
;ened  to  open  the  wicket 
persons  in  the  uniform  of 
rom  my  place  of  espial,  the 
jfo-e  concluded  their  num- 
t  least. 
r  reply  to  my  question  of 


1 


IN  XHB  LOCK-Ur. 

"  On  what  authority  must  I  open  my  door  t" 

"I'm  a  lieutenant  of  police.  Do  you  see  thatt"  answered 
the  persou  standing  at  the  wicket,  at  the  same  time  pointing  to 
the  silver  star  on  the  breast  of  his  coat. 

"  Yes,  I  see  it,"  I  replied,  "  but  whoever  you  are,  you  cannot 
come  into  my  rooms  without  you  have  the  warrant  of  a  magis- 
trate," was  my  answer. 

"  Open  the  door,  or  I'll  break  it  in!  ■'  was  his  response. 

"  Do  it  at  your  peril  I "  I  rejoined. 

"  Burst  in  the  door,"  ordered  he  of  the  silver  star.  He  was 
immediately  obeyed,  and  my  room  was  filled  with  a  swarm  of 
blue  coats,  headed  by  a  tall,  powerful,  red-haired  and  sandy 
whiskered  fellow,  who  claimed  to  be  their  lieutenant.  He 
took  a  rapid  survey  of  the  room,  and  seeing  no  one  but  myself 
there,  he  roughly  accosted  me  with,  "Where's  your  com- 
panions, young  man?" 

"  I  am  sole  master  here,"  I  replied. 

"None  o'  your  impudence,  youngstar!  where's  them  hired 
murderers  o'  yournl  Kline  and  Jones,  and  that  sneak  thief, 
Chapin?" 

"You've  got  a  d— n  sight  of  effrontery,  you  mean  scoundrel,  to 
break  into  a  man's  house  without  a  warrant  from  a  magistrate, 
at  any  rate,  and  it  may  cost  you  dear,  before  it's  done  with." 

"  Put  the  darbies  on  the  kid,"  drawled  out  the  lieutenant  to 
one  of  his  subordinates,  and  in  a  moment  more  I  was  adorned 
with  a  portion  of  the  jewelry  belonging  to  the  city.  "Take 
everything  here  to  the  station-house,  and  take  the  kid  to  the 
lock-up,"  ordered  the  red-haired  lieutenant;  and  I  soon  had 
ocular  demonstration  of  the  ease  with  which  a  man,  guilty  of  no 
crime,  may  bo  entombed  in  a  prison. 

On  our  arrival  at  the  station-house  I  was  relieved  of  my 
"darbies,"  and  handed  over  to  an  ancient  citizen,  who  lost  no 
time  In  going  throagh  my  clothes,  and  relieving  me  of  my  watch 
and  $1,024  in  money.  Being  ever  in  dread  of  my  present  mis- 
fortune, and  also  afraid  of  being  robbed,  I  had,  since  I  parted 
from  the  Major,  kept  no  money  in  my  possession,  except  about 
$J  ,000,  which  I  considered  aufficleut  for  banking  my  game.  The 
remainder,  amounting  to  something  like  $8,000, 1  kept  deposited 
in  the  Bank  of  North  America. 

I  gave  my  name  to  the  clerk  as  John  Grimes,  and  demaiided 


294 


WANDBBINQS  OV  A  VAGABOND. 


of  him  a  receipt  for  my  money  and  watch.  "We  don't  give  any, 
he  gruffly  answered.  "  Ther.  I  call  upon  you,  and  you,  ^nd  you, 
I  said, pointing  to  the  policemen  who  were  present,  "to  lake 
notice  that  a  gold  watch,  Tobias,  maker,  No.  mO,  and  $1024, 
in  New  York  city  bank  bills,  have  been  taken  from  mo ;  I  wisU 
you  to  bear  this  in  mind,  gentlemen,  for  I  may  have  to  call  upon 
you  to  prove  it."    A  general  laugh  was  the  only  response  to  this 

*^"Lock  the  kid  in  No  17,"  ordered  a  gentleman  behind  the  desk. 
In  a  few  moments  I  was  gazing  out  onto  a  small  paved  court- 
yard, from  between  the  iron  bars  of  my  cell  door.  I  had  the 
apartment  all  to  myself,  "the  monarch  of  all  I  surveyed,"  ma 
limited  sense.  I  paced  the  floor  of  my  narrow  quarters  until  I 
heard  the  city  clocks  strike  five,  when  I  threw  myself  on  the 
straw  in  one  comer,  and  was  socn  lost  to  life's  cares  and  sorrows. 

"  Tired  nature'*  rweet  restorer,  balmy  deep." 

I  was  awakened  from  my  slumbers  by  the  unlocking  of  my 
prison  door,  and  a  coarse  voice  fell  on  my  ear  with  "  Hero's  yer 
bruckfast."  I  looked  up  and  saw  two  men,  one  of  whom  held  in 
one  hand  a  bunch  of  keys,  while  with  the  other  he  held  open  the 
door  of  my  cell.    The  other  fellow  placed  on  tho  floor  a  small  tin 
pan.  The  door  was  locked  again,  and  both  vanished.  I  could  hear 
the  locking  and  unlocking  of  doors,  and  the  buzz  of  human  voices. 
The  sun  was  sending  a  small  stream  of  rays  inw  my  cell,  and  I 
arose  from  my  bed  oi  straw,  stiflF  and  unrefreshed,  and  examined 
with  some  curiosity  the  contents  of  the  pan,  in  v/h  ch  I  had  been 
informed  was  my  "  bruckfast."    It  contained  about  apint  of  thin 
broth,  and  a  bone  with  a  few  shreds  of  meat  an  iched :  also  vwo 
ship  biscuits.    I  had  no  stomach  for  this  feast,  and  to  procure 
better  I  shouted  through  the  grating  of  my  coll  door  for  som  one 
to  come  to  me;  but  no  one  answered  my  call.    I  shouted  the 
louder,  and  kept  on  doing  so,  in  hopes  some  one  might  come.  Pres- 
ently a  coarse,  ill-looking,  worse  clad  and  supremely  dirty  fellow, 
showed  his  burly  form  before  the  door,  and  putting  hU  face  close 
to  tho  grating,  said,  In  a  cold,  low  voice,  "If  I  comes  'ri  there  to 
ye's,  I'll  make  yer  t-creech  worse  than  that  via  cov;-hlde,  ye 
d— n  thief."    This  cold-blooded  threat,  uttered  In  such  s.  matter- 
of-fact  tone,  struck  me  with  horror,  and  caused  me  to  iccutt  ftom 
iny  cell  door. 


OND. 

We  don't  give  any," 
,  and  you,  ^nd  you," 

0  present-  "to  lake 
So.  19f<0,  and  $1024, 
:en  from  mo ;  1  wish 
lay  have  to  call  upon 
only  responart  to  this 

jman  behind  the  desk, 
a  small  paved  court- 
jcll  door.  I  had  the 
all  I  surveyed,"  in  a 
rrow  quarters  until  I 
threw  myself  on  the 
fe's  cares  and  sorrows. 

7  deep." 

the  unlocking  of  my 
ear  with  "  Hero's  yer 
one  of  whom  hold  in 
)ther  he  held  open  the 
m  tho  floor  a  small  tin 
ranislied.  I  could  hear 

1  buzz  of  human  voices, 
ys  ini;i  my  cell,  and  I 
freshed,  and  examined 
1,  in  wh  ch  I  had  been 
led  about  a  pint  of  thin 
jat  attached ;  also  vwo 

feast,  and  to  procure 
y  cell  door  for  som  one 
y  call.  I  shouted  the 
I  one  might  come.  Pres- 
supremely  dirty  fellow, 
d  putting  hii?  face  close 
"  If  I  comes  'ti  there  to 
iat  v^  3  acov;-hide,  ye 
;tered  in  such  u  matter- 
aused  me  to  iccuU  from 


IN  THK  LOCK-rP. 


295 


"What  the  L— 1  are  ye's  makln'  rll  that  fuss  about,  heyt  Why 
don't  yer  spake,  ye  d— r  •.Tb»>lpl"  ho  angrily  demanded. 

"  I  see  no  justification  for  such  harsh  language  as  that,  sir !"  I 
replied. 

"  What  do  ye?  want?  damn  yer,"  he  again  demanded,  without 
noticing  my  remark. 

"  I  want  to  get  somebody  to  go  to  a  restaurant,  and  get  mo 
something  to  eat.   I've  money  to  pay  for  it." 

"There's  yer  bruckfast,  an'  if  yer  don't  like  it,  leave  it,  d— a 
yer,  and  don't  let  mo  hear  any  more  wind  from  that  trapo'  youm, 
or  I'll  bust  it.  D'ye  hear,  youngster!"  he  said,  pointing  his  finger 
at  me  in  a  threatening  manner.  He  said  no  more,  but,  to  my 
great  relief,  now  left  me 

About  an  hour  before  dark  my  cell  door  was  again  opened, 
another  pan  was  left  on  tho  floor  and  the  door  relocked  without 
a  word  being  spoken  to  me.  The  second  meal  offered  was  pre- 
cisely the  counterpart  of  tho  first — some  broth,  a  boiled  bone,  and 
two  ship  biscuits.  I  paced  m"  cell  until  wearied  down,  when  I 
sought  my  bed  of  straw,  and  slept  soundly  until  morning.  My 
jailers  again  opened  my  door,  and  again  left  the  same  kind  of 
meal  they  had  before,  and  removed  the  two  pans,  with  their  con- 
tents untasted.  While  doing  so  I  as  ted  when  I  was  to  have  an 
examination;  but  they  only  looked  at  me  for  a  moment  with  a 
vacant  stare,  and  then  locked  my  cell  door.  Hunger  had  now 
gotten  the  best  of  me,  and  although  I  could  not  yet  stomach  the 
contents  of  the  pan,  I  ate  tho  crackers  with  a  great  relish.  In 
the  evening  the  same  stereotyped  meal  was  left  me,  and  I  passed 
the  night  in  the  same  manner  as  the  two  preceding  ones. 

During  my  sojourn  in  the  city,  I  had  taken  pains  to  acquaint 
myself  with  the  "modus  operandi"  of  its  police  courts,  and  also 
its  upper  courts  of  justice,  and  was  perfectly  well  aware  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  the  persons  arresting  me  to  have  arraigned  me 
before  some  police  justice  on  the  following  morning.  I  had  also 
informed  myself  concerning  its  gambling  laws,  and  knew  the  ex- 
treme penalty  for  dealing  any  banking  game  of  chance  was  $50 ; 
consequently  I  had  no  fears  in  that  direction.  Neither  did  I  en- 
tertain any  concerning  the  thrashed  McGovernites,  for  I  had 
?<iamed  positively,  on  the  day  preceding  my  arrest,  that  they 
were  all  upon  their,  legs  again.  T  became  convinced  that  these 
irregular  and  mysterious  proceedings  had  been  taken  against  me 


296  WAKDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

for  the  purpose  of  frightening  me  out  of  my  money,  and  I  was 
K  dSned  that  1  would  not  bo  robbed  in  that  manner^ 

With  fretful  impatience,  and  much  inwur.1  chafing,  I  bore  my 
confinement  for  the  first  two  days ;  but  gradually  becommg  mora 
SiTaitod,  almost  with  indifference,  the  final  solution  of  my 

''Ttho  fourth  evening  of  my  confinement,  between  the  unusual 
^  f  ..irrht  nnd  nine  mv  cell  door  was  unlocked  by  a  tall, 

Jrcollp  ivTlS  and  I  wasordered  to  come 

forth     1  followed  him  into  a  wide  hall,  on  each  side  of  which 
wore"two  Soms     Into  one  of  those  he  ushered  me,  aud  orctered 
reLmnrSS^vfter  which  he  left  me,  closing  the  door  beh»ndh  m 
wfthout  Tck  ng  it.     It  was  a  fine  large  apartment  decently 
TuSed^^  A  pla in  but  substantial  carpet  covered  the  floor  a 
Selling  double-bed  occupied  the  end  of  the  room  op^po^^ 
the  door  and  against  n  large  window,  hung  with  faded  silk  cur- 
ufnsst'ooTa  centre-table  covered  with  blue  cloth,  on  which 
Srn«d  an  astral  lamp.    On  the  table  were  several  books  and 
Papers  an  il  staSand  a  decanter  half  filled  with  liquor,  to- 
.  JeCw^htwoor  three  tumblers,  f  «--^ -"-;>;"«^^^^^^^ 
Stood  about  the  room  in  a  disorderly  manner,  and  its  ^f^oje  ap- 
STance  indieated  that  it  had  quite  lately  beea  occuged  by  a 
mrty,  and  the  recently  used  glasses  proclaimed  the  fact  that 
thev  had  been  regaling  themselves. 

Not  wishing  them  to  have  any  advantage  over  me  in  that 
respect     piufed  son-e  of  tho  Unuor  into  one  of  the  tumblers,  and, 
iriSsmen   thought  it  a  good  article  of  brandy;  but  to  make 
Sr    I  "put^yL  outside  of  i^^^^  in  the  language  of  the  im- 
mortel  Artemus,  as  speedily  as  possible.    While  engaged  m 
SJI  tome  then  vVry  Stisfaitory  occupation,  the  door  was  soft- 
rop^^rd-dthefe  glided  into  the  room  a  t^^J^^-;-- 
gentleman,  with  a  pair  of  gold  spectacl-s  on  h  s  no8«-    fe  w«f 
Sttlred  in  a  claw-hammer  coat,  vest,  and  pants,  of  seedy  black 
bSci;  and  wore  an  immaculate  white  shirt,  with  a  h^h 
SSg  ^Uar,  while  around  his  neck  was  wound,  in  voluminous 
;S  a  wWto  ehoker.    His  head  was  bald,  and  he  wore  no  beard 
uton  hTs  face.    To  judge  by  his  bent  body,  P'"f  «d  fea  urea 
and  the  thin  sprinkling  of  gray  hairi  which  formed  a  ring  roand 
the  lower  part  of  his  cranium,  he  was  hunting  up  fifty  yeare  very 
fast.    He  approached  me  with  a  smirking  face,   rubbing  iw 


money,  and  I  was 
in  that  maaner. 
chaflufr,  I  bore  my 
vlly  becoming  mora 
liual  solution  of  my 

ictwoen  the  unusual 
mlocked  by  a  tall, 
as  ordered  to  come 
each  side  of  which 
ed  me,  and  ordered 
the  door  behind  him 
ipartment  decently 
covered  the  floor,  a 
if  the  room  opposite 
with  faded  silk  cur- 
iae cloth,  on  which 
3  several  books  and 
illed  with  liquor,  to- 
ane-bottomcd  chairs 
ir,  and  its  whole  ap- 
r  been  occupied  by  a 
aimed  the  fact  that 

ige  over  me  in  that 
of  the  tumblers,  and, 
andy;  but  to  make 
language  of  the  im- 
While  engaged  in 
on,  the  door  was  soft- 
m  a  tall,  cadaverous 
on  his  nose.    He  was 
pants,  of  seedy  black 
lite  shirt,  with  a  high 
wound,  in  voluminous 
and  he  wore  no  beard 
idy,  pinched  features, 
1  formed  a  ring  roand 
ing  up  fifty  years  very 
Qg  face,    rubbing  bis 


IN  THE  LOCZ-TTP; 


297 


hands  together  perpetually  (which,  on  reflection  afterwards,  I 
concluded  was  figuratively  washing  them  from  the  clinging 
filth  of  all  the  disreputable  businesses  in  which  they  had  been 
engaged);  he  addressed  me  in  a  bland  tone,  with,  "Good 
evening,  my  young  friend !  Taking  a  little  comfort,  eh  f  Glad 
to  see  you  enjoy  yourself.  Be  seated,  pray!"  I  complied  with 
his  request,  and  patiently  awaited  his  overtures.  I  was  not 
long  left  in  suspense;  for,  after  a  few  preliminary  ahems,  my 
companion  opened  his  batteries  with,  "Bad  business  1  Bad 
business  this,  Mr.  Grimes." 

I  looked  towards  the  door,  supposing  he  was  addressing  a 
new  comer,  when  I  suddenly  recollected  that  I  had  given  the 
name  of  Grimes  to  the  clerk,  on  the  night  of  my  arrest. 

"  Well,  I  don't  know,  sir!  It  looks  very  pleasant  here.  Beg 
pardon,  sir;  but  whom  have  I  the  pleasure  of  addressing t" 

"  Sedgewick,  my  dear  young  friend,  of  the  firm  of  Sedgewlck 
&  Snipes,  Counselors  and  Attorneys  at  Law,  at  your  service, 
if  you  need  anything  in  our  line." 

"  What  a  singular  place  for  a  lawye-'s  office,  Mr.  Sedgewick! " 
I  exclaimed,  gazing  about  the  room. 

"  Oh !  my  dear  sir,  our  office  is  in  Park  Row.  This  beautiftd 
room  belongs  to  Captain  Smith,  but  he  kindly  allows  me  to  use 
it  whenever  I  visit  this  place  to  aid  the  unfortunate." 

"  Who  is  Captain  Smith  1 "  I  inquired. 

"  He's  the  chief  police  officer  of  this  precinct." 

"  Did  the  Captain  send  you  here  to  consult  with  me  t " 

"Oh  dear,  no!  I  merely  saw  your  name  on  the  books  among 
the  list  of  prisoners,  and  after  examining  into  the  charges  against 
you,  thought  I  could  not  do  better  than  give  you  a  call." 

"  Indeed,  sir !  You  are  very  kind,  and  I  am  most  grateful  for 
it." 

"  Not  at  all !  Not  at  all !  Don't  mention  it,  my  dear  sir.  The 
duty  of  my  profession  is  to  aid  the  unfortunate." 

"  Why  have  they  kept  me  here  so  long,  without  on  examioa- 
tiottf"  I  asked. 

"Because  Captain  Smith,  who  is  one  of  the  kindest-hearted 
men  in  the  world,  is  anxious  to  save  you,  sir !  Had  your  case 
been  pushed  on  at  the  present  time,  I'm  afraid  it  would  have 
gone  hard  with  you,  my  dear  sir  I "  said  Mr.  Sedgewick,  with  an 
ominous  stake  of  his  head. 


WANDERINOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

"  Why,  sir,  what  have  I  done  to  merit  so  severe  a  fate,  3lr  f  " 
"  I  see,  my  dear  young  friend,  that  you  do  not  seem  to  realize 
the  perilous  position  in  which  you  stand.  Let  me  holemnly  as- 
sure you,  sir,  that  if  matters  were  pushed  to  extremities  against 
you,  six  months  on  the  Island  would  be  the  most  lenient  pun- 
ishment you  could  expect ! " 

"  You  alarm  mo,  Mr.  Sedgewick !  Of  what  am  I  accused,  sir!  " 
"There  are  several  complaints  against  you,  sir !  First,  you 
have  been  keeping  a  gambling  house— a  misdemeanor  which  the 
authorities  can  turn  into  a  felony,  if  they  wish  to  make  an 
example ;  and  in  such  a  position  would  you  stand,  were  your 
case  brought  before  the  courts.  Numerous  complaints  have 
lately  been  made  against  gaming  houses,  by  citizens,  and  the 
attention  of  the  public  has  been  drawn  to  the  subject.  You  are 
also  charged  with  keeping  a  disorderly  place,  and  with  having 
attempted  the  lives  of  several  persons  there,  by  hiring  bullies  to 
beat,  and  otherwise  maltreat  them,  while  on  your  premises. 
Such  an  offense,  my  dear  sir,  if  proven,  would  send  you  to  Sing 

Sing." 

"  And  you  say  Captain  Smith  does  not  wish  me  to  be  prose- 
cuted?" ,.    .     ,j 

"  He  wishes  to  save  you,  sir,  on  account  of  your  youth  5  besides, 
he  believes  you  to  have  been  the  dupe  of  bad,  designing  men." 

"  Has  he  arrested  any  person  concerned  with  this  affair,  with 
the  exception  of  myself  t " 

"  You  press  me  too  hard,  my  dear  young  friend.  I  cannot  say, 
because  I  do  not  know ;  but  if  your  case  could  be  kept  out  of 
court,  it  would  relieve  all  others  who  have  been  in  any  way  con- 
nected with  you.  If,  my  dear  sir,  you  will  leave  yourself  in  my 
hands,  I  will  engage  to  snatch  you  from  the  clutches  of  the 
relentless  law.  At  least  the  firm  of  Sedgewick  &  Snipes  never 
yet  failed  to  do  that  which  they  set  out  to  do!"  he  added,  with 
a  low  cackle. 

"  How  can  you  clear  me,  Mr.  Sedgewick?  "  I  inquired. 

"  That's  my  secret,  my  young  friend,"  he  replied.  "But  this 
much  I'll  tell  you,  I  must  prevent  your  case  from  coming  before 
the  courts.  Do  you  see?"  he  asked  me,  placing  his  forefinger 
alongside  of  his  nose,  while  at  the  same  moment  he  winked  at 

me  with  his  right  eye.  _^  _   .   ..y^ 

"  Then  you  think  if  my  case  goes  before  th©  courts  I  shaii  oe 

severely  punished?" 


vere  a  fate,  3lr  t " 
not  seoin  to  realize 
et  me  holemnly  as- 
Bstremities  against 
most  lenient  pun- 
am  I  accused,  sir!  " 
ou,  sir!    First,  you 
lemeanor  which  the 
wish  to  make  an 
a  stand,  were  your 
18  complaints  have 
by  citizens,  and  the 
e  subject.    You  are 
;e,  and  with  having 
by  hiring  bullies  to 
on  your  premises, 
lid  send  you  to  Sing 

rish  me  to  be  prose- 

^our  youth ;  besides, 
i,  designing  men." 
vith  this  affair,  with 

friend.  I  cannot  say, 
30uld  be  kept  out  of 
)een  in  any  way  con- 
leave  yourself  in  my 
the  clutches  of  the 
rick  &  Snipes  never 
io!"  he  added,  with 

?  "  I  inquired, 
replied.     "But  this 
B  from  coming  before 
)lacing  his  forefinger 
noment  he  winked  at 

the  courts  I  shall  be 


IN  THE  LOCK-UP. 


299 


"  With  the  rod  of  Nemesis,  my  dear  young  sir." 

"  What  sort  of  a  rod  is  that,  sir  ?" 

"Dear  me,  you're  nqt  up  in  mythology,  sirT  Nemesis,  my 
dear  young  (i-iend,  was  the  Grecian  goddess  of  retributive  Jus- 
tice." 

"  I  don't  want  anything  to  do  with  her,  sir.  But  can't  you  get 
me  out  of  here,  Mr.  Sedgewick  f  I  don't  want  to  stop  any  long- 
er. The  soup  is  bad,  the  bread  is  bad,  the  lodging  is  bad,  and 
everything  about  the  place  is  bad,  excepting  this  brandy,"  I 
added,  seizing  the  decanter,  pouring  myself  out  another  horn, 
and  tossing  it  down  my  throat. 

"  I  will  use  my  best  endeavors,  my  young  friend.    Nay,  I  will 
get  you  released!" 
"But  when,  sir f" 

"  To-night,  my  dear  young  friend,  if  you  follow  my  advice." 
"  All  right,  sir ;  I'm  ready  to  go  any  time." 
"Well,  that  looks  something  like  business,"  he  replied,  with  a 
disagreeable  smirk,  and  for  a  moment  pulled  his  fingers  till  he 
made  them  every  one  snap,  and  then  resumed,     "  You  see,  Mr. 
Grimes,  money  can  do  wonders,  when  it  is  in  the  hands  of  a  wise 
and  discreet  person."     Stopping  for  a  moment,  he  furtively  re- 
garded me. 
"  Yes,  sir,"  I  replied ;   "  proceed,  sir." 

"  Without  money  I  could  do  nothing,  absolutely  nothing  for 
you,  Mr.  Grimes." 
"  Certainly  not,  sir;  but  pray  go  on." 
"Let  me  see,"  said  Mr.  Sedgewick,  drawing  tov^ards  him  a 
sheet  of  paper,  and  picking  up  a  pen  he  dipped  it  delicately  into 
the  ink.  "  Ahem,"  he  exclaimed,  as  if  in  a  deep  study,  and  re- 
iterating the  words,  "  let  me  see,"  a  great  many  times,  he  finally 
commenced  muttering  to  himself,  as  he  made  a  suppositious  cal- 
culation on  the  paper.  "  He  must  have  $1,000."  At  the  same 
time  he  jotted  down  the  amount  on  the  piece  of  paper  before  him. 
"Yes,  nothing  less  would  do,"  he  murmured,  half  inarticulately. 
"Then  there's  Tibbetts,"  he  muttered;  "but  111  cut  him  down  to 
$W0.  Yes,  I  think  that  will  do,"  he  said,  in  an  absent  manner; 
then  turning  to  me,  whom  he'd  been  furtively  watching  during 
the  whole  of  this  little  by-play, he  said,  "My  dear  young  Wend, 
it  will  require  $1,200  to  be  expended  on  the  outside.  In  order  to 
get  you  released.     Then  will  come  in  the  Httle  bill  of  Snipes  & 


.  • . 


m 


WANBEWNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


fi«,lMwlck  but  we  Win  be  very  moderate  In  our  charg-is  for 
mau?«CtW8  delicate  business,  my  dear  sir;  ^ve  ;.  11  put  tl«) 

friend."  ^  „,„ 

"  But  I  haven't  got  so  much  money '.  „     ,    _,  ,       t,„_, 

.<5ear  me!  I  understood  you  were  e^ce«d»"8Y '^^l^^ f  °^ 

could  you  have  carried  on  a  faro-bank  unless  you  had  more  than 

•*''?S?Jll'  sir,  I  did  have  plenty  of  money,  but  I  have  lost  It.  My 
playriave  won  from  me  all  I  had,  with  the  exception  of  what 
was  taken  from  me  on  the  night  of  my  arrest." 
^Dearme!  how  very  unfortunate.  With  less  than  $1,500  it 
wouK  quite  impossible  for  me  to  do  anything  or  you,  my 
dear  voung  friend.    You  must  appeal  to  your  fronds. 

f'l  Ima^stra^ger,  and  have  no  friends  here,"  I  answered,  dog- 

^"  Dear  me!  and  those  persons  who  were  concerned  with  you 
\r\  the  ffambllnK-house,  where  are  they  1 " 
*•"  *  m'S  tim!  of  my'arrest  no  one  was  concerned  tbere  exce^ 
niysrif.    Some  time  ago  an  old  fellow  was  with  me,  but  he  s  sold 

nr'nouKmy'dear  young  friend,  that  we  might  find 
hlmt "  said  Sedgewick,  with  a  sly  smile. 

"  What !  and  place  him  in  my  situation  f 

«™o  means,  my  dear  young  friend,  but  to  come  down  with 

^'^t.r ^r^VoTrq^^eKen  we  parted,  so  therms  no 
hope  ?i  that  quarter,  and  if  there  were,  I  should  never  know 

'^?Sow  wy'u^fortunate.    I'm  sure  I  don't  know  how  I  can 

-^JCe'^SnT.^^^i^r^rtraSt^^^^  -  on  the 

"i!?.t^:roSrrsT;srctf.^^^^^^^^ 

youtayouT^tremlty  of  distress.  No,  -,  wewill  ^isW  we 
S  awlst  you,"  he  cried,  grasping  me  warmly  by  the  hand. 
"-Thnm  of  Snipes  &  Sedgewick  will  save  you,  m^ear 
yolng  ?  and  while  giving  me  this  eomfortlng  a«ura«ce  he 
shook  me  energetically  by  the  hand. 


I  our  charg-is  for 
;  we  will  put  the 
sir.  The  sura  re- 
ig  Into  consldenv- 
i,  my  dear  young 


lingly  rich.     How 
you  had  more  than 

I  have  lost  it.  My 
5  exception  of  what 
It 

less  than  $1,500  it 
srthing  for  you,  my 
r  friends." 
5,"  I  answered,  dog- 

Boncemed  with  you 

cerned  there  except 
ith  me,  but  he's  sold 

,  that  we  might  find 


t  to  come  down  with 

parted,  so  there's  no 
should  never  know 

on't  know  how  I  can 

n 

iken  from  me  on  the 
[  replied. 

bo  cruelty  to  abandon 
wewill  assist  you,  we 
warmly  by  the  hand. 
1  save  you,  my  dear 
nforting  assurance  he 


IV  THE  LOCK-Ur. 


aoi 

replied,  re- 


"I  shall  be  ever  most  grateful,  Mr.  Sedgewick,"  I 
turning  the  pressure  of  his  snaky  fingers. 

"  Well,  then,"  he  continued,  "  lot  mo  see  how  matters  stand 
now,"  picking  up  from  the  table,  where  ho  had  dropped  them, 
his  pen  and  slip  of  paper.  "  It  is  absolutely  necessary  we  should 
have  $1,200  to  obtain  your  release.  After  the  accomplishment  of 
that,  the  firm  of  Snipes  6c  Sedgewick  will  wait  for  their  fee,  my 
dear  young  friend,  until  such  a  time  as  it  may  bo  convenient  for 
you  to  pay  it  to  them.  Now,  my  dear  sir,  how  i  ch  money  have 
you  in  the  oflBce  f  " 

"  One  thousand  and  twenty-four  dollars."  The  amount  was 
immediately  set  down  on  the  paper  before  him  in  figures,  and  he 
inquired,  "What  elset" 

"A  gold  watch,  sir." 

"Ah  1  yes;  valued  at  how  much,  nowt " 

"It  cost  me  $150." 

Mr.  Sedgewick  carefully  set  this  down  also  on  his  paper,  and 
inquired  what  other  property  I  i>o88e8sed.     • 

"  A  set  of  faro-tools,  valued  at  $250,  sir." 

"What  elsef"  he  asked,  with  his  eyes  still  on  the  paper  be- 
fore  him. 

"  The  furniture  of  my  room,  worth  about  $200,"  I  rejoined. 

"  According  to  this  statement  you  have  in  money  and  property 
$1,624,"  said  the  afiable  Sedgewick. 

"  But  we  couldn't  sell  the  property  at  any  such  price  as  that 
at  which  I've  valued  it,  Mr.  Sedgewick." 

"  I'm  aware  of  that,  but  you  would  rather  keep  your  property, 
would  you  not  f" 

"  Certainly,  sir,  if  I  could  do  so." 

"  Well,  my  dear  young  sir,  the  firm  of  Snipes  ic  Sedgewick 
will  keep  your  property  for  you,  and  advance  sufiQcient  money  to 
make  up  the  $1,200  which  you  require,"  said  Mr.  Sedgewick,  in 
his  'aost  insinuating  tone,  and  peering  at  me  over  the  tops  of  his 
gla..de8. 

"It's  very  generous  of  you,  sirl"  I  exclaimed. 

"Don't  mention  it !  Pray  don't  mention  it,  my  esteemed  young 
fipiend,"  said  the  delighted  Sedgewick. 

"Now, my  dear  j-oung  sir,  as  wo  have  come  to  a  friendly  un-; 
derstanding,  let  us  at  once  arrange  this  business.  We  must  all 
die  sometime  or  other,  and  it  is  customary  for  wise  men  to  set 


sot  WAND1BIN08  OF  ▲  VAGABOND. 

their  houses  In  order,  for  '  we  know  neither  the  day  aor  the 
hour,'"  quoted  the  pious  Sedge wicl;,  sauctimonlously  raising  his 
*ye8  to  the  ceiiing,  "so,  as  I  said  iMjfoie,  it's  bcft  tf-  have  every- 
thing in  Older,  before  that  awful  moment  arrives  which  cuts  us 
oflf  from  every  hoid  on  life."  This  was  delivered  with  a  doleful 
■hako  of  tlio  head.  "Now,  sir,"  ho  continued,  "I  will  advance 
one  hundred  and  seventy-six  dollars  to  make  up  the  requisite 
twelve  hundred  dollara,  and  to  secure  the  firm  you  will  transfer 
to  it  such  property  as  you  have,  together  with  the  money,  etc., 
you  have  in  the  oflftce,  which  can  be  effected  by  giving  mo  an 
order  for  it  on  the  clerk.  And,  with  your  permission,  I'll  write 
out  the  order  and  you  can  sign  it,  and  after  you  have  done  so  I 
will  got  vou  released  inside  of  fifteen  minutes." 

I  made  him  no  reply,  and  he  presently  placed  before  me  a  slip 
of  paper  on  which  ho  had  written  the  "order,"  and  presented 
mo  the  pen  he  hold  In  his  hand.  "  Put  your  signature  there,  my 
dear  sir,"  pointing  to  the  spot  where  the  autograph  is  generaUy 
seen  in  such  documents,  and  waited  for  me  to  place  my  name  to 
a  paper  that  would  give  to  a  parcel  of  blood-suckers  what  money 
and  other  proi^rty  I  hud  In  the  possession  of  the  city  officials. 
I  took  the  oflbrod  pen,  and  while  holding  it  in  my  fingers  care- 
fully read  the  Instrument. 

"  Ton  say  that  if  I  sign  this  I  shall  be  at  liberty  In  fifteen 
minutes !"  I  inquired,  looking  Into  his  face. 

"  In  less  time,  my  dear  young  friend,"  answered  the  obsequlon* 

Sedgewick.  *  ,  *   n       u 

"  But  If  you  take  everything  I  possess,  how  am  I  to  live  when 
released  from  prison,  sir?" 

"  Liberty,  my  dear  young  sir,  should  be  the  first  desire  of  man. 
Sign  first,  please,  and  you'll  find  afterwards  that  the  firm  of  Snipes 
&  Sedgewick  will  not  allow  one  of  Its  clients  to  suffer  for  the  want 
of  a  few  dollars." 

"Indeed!"  I  said  with  a  sneer,  dashing  the  pen  down  on  tne 
floor,  and  rising  from  my  chair.  "The  firm  of  Snipes  &  Sedge- 
wick, and  the  scoundrels  they  are  jobbing  for,  will  find  I  am  not 
quite  such  a  fool  as  they  seem  to  have  Imagined.  No,  sir !  I  shall 
not  sign  that  paper.  This  is  a  conspiracy  hatched  by  a  gang  of 
thieves  for  the  purpose  of  robbing  me,  and  you,  you  scoundrel, 
are  doing  the  dirty  work  of  the  party.  But  you've  made  a  grand 
mistake  I  You've  failed,  Mr.  Sedgewick  1  I've  no  money  to  waste 


/ 


ND. 


IK  THK  LOCX-Cr. 


ir  tho  day  jor  the 
oniously  raising  bis 
[xft  tf«  buvo  cvery- 
rivcs  which  cuta  us 
orcd  with  a  doleful 
id,  "I  will  advance 
ke  up  the  roquisite 
in  you  will  transfer 
th  tho  money,  etc., 
d  by  giving  mo  an 
ermlssion,  I'll  write 
jovL  have  done  so  I 

;ed  before  mo  a  slip 
ler,"  and  presented 
signature  there,  my 
jgrapb  Is  generally 
J  place  my  name  to 
ackers  what  money 
of  the  city  officials, 
in  my  fingers  care- 
it  liberty  in  fifteen 
wed  the  obsequious 
r  urn  I  to  lire  when 

)  first  desire  of  man. 
lat  the  firm  of  Snipes 
to  suffer  for  the  want 

le  pen  down  on  tue 
of  Snipes  &  Sedge- 
r,  will  find  I  am  not 
led.  No,  sir !  I  shall 
!itched  by  a  gang  of 
you,  you  scoundrel, 
jTou've  made  a  grand 
)  no  money  to  waste 


on  black-mailers ;  but  I've  plenty  to  pay  honest  lawyers  to  pros- 
ecute the  thieves  who  have  kept  luo  iu  prisou  four  days  without 
a  triul,  in  hoi)08  to  extort  from  me  my  money  and  other  property 
OS  tho  price  of  my  release,  instead  of  at  once  bringing  mo  l»cfuro 
the  Justice  for  examination,  as  it  was  their  duty  to  have  done." 

"  Dour  me!  dear  me !  how  very  ungrateful!"  gosiMsd  Mr.  Scdge- 
wick,  aghast  at  the  totally  unexpected  turn  allUirs  wore  taking. 
"I  am  astonished  to  hear  such  language  from  your  lips,  ungrate- 
ful boy— when  I  was  doing  my  best  to  keep  you  out  of  State's 
prisou,  too.    Dear  me !" 

"You  had  bettor  direct  your  efforts  nearer  home,  and  keep 
yourself  out,  you  sloek-tougued  scoundrel  I"  I  retorted. 

"I'll  make  you  repout  this,  you  impudent-tungued  puppy!" 
said  tho  highly  indignant  and  exasperated  Sedgowick,  leaving  the 
room  and  slamming  tho  door  behind  him. 

Nearly  an  hour  passed  before  any  one  entered  the  room.  At 
length,  the  person  who  had  brought  me  there  entered,  conducted 
me  to  my  cell,  and  locked  me  up. 

On  the  following  morning,  when  I  arose  from  my  bed  of  straw, 
tL»'  sunbeams  were  brightly  dancing  on  the  stone  floor  of  ray  cell. 
About  an  hour  afterwards  the  door  of  my  prison  was  unlocked 
and  I  was  bidden  to  come  forth,  and  was  again  conducted  to  the 
room  where  the  previous  evening  I  had  oi^oyed  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing  the  redoubtable  Sedgewick  retire  discomfited. 

The  only  occupant  of  the  room  was  the  fiery-headed  Lieutenant 
who  had  arrested  me.  He  inquired  after  my  health  in  a  kind, 
but  patronizing  tone.  "  Qlad  to  see  you  looking  so  well,  Qrimes; 
I  thought  you  might  have  some  appetite  this  morning,  so  I  sent 
for  you  to  breakfast  with  me." 

I  looked  upon  this  fellow  as  the  principal  cause  of  my  arrest, 
and  also  of  keeping  me  in  secret  confinement  with  the  direct 
purpose  of  robbing  me.  I  had  no  proof  of  my  suspicions,  or 
rather  presentiments,  that  he  was  the  tool  of  Phil  McOoveru, 
who  I  did  not  for  a  moment  doubt  was  the  primary  cause  of  all 
my  troubles.  The  bold  front  I  had  shown  to  their  agent,  Sedge- 
wick, had  probably  convinced  them  that  they  had  a  more 
troublesome  customer  than  they  had  bargained  for.  The  invi- 
tation to  breakfiist  satisfied  me  that  a  change  of  policy  had 
taken  place,  and  that  the  party  who  held  me  were  opening  their 
eyes  to  the  fact  that  they  had  on  their  hands  a  huge  elephant  In 


i«r    '  =» 


304 


WANDWUJfOS  or  A  VAGABOND. 


tho  person  of  John  Grimes.  I  mode  up  my  mind,  howeyer,  to 
behavo  (luletly,  and  Imteu  to  whatever  my  rcd-hcadcd  guardian 
should  say  to  luo.  .  .    ,  , 

I  thanked  him  for  his  invitation,  and  told  him  I  had  been 
whetting  my  appetite  for  tho  last  four  days  in  order  to  do  Just- 

Ice  to  his  breakfast.  .  ,   „     u.  , 

Without  making  me  any  reply,  he  rang  a  hand-bell  which  was 
upon  the  table,  and  it  was  answered  by  a  big  greasy  looking 

negro. 

"Breakfastfor  two.  Snowball!' 

"Y-a-a-s,  sir,"  responded  Snowball,  rtandlng  as  rigid  as  a 

^^  Well,  what  the  h-1  are  you  standing  there  fort"  demanded 

tLe  Lieutenant.  ,   „     ,  .         , 

"What's  I  ter  fotch,  sir?"  responded  Snowball,  with  a  grin. 

"Anything!  Coflce,  mutton-chops,  eggs ;  and  be  damn  quick 
about  It,  do  ye  heart"  .....      ,    j 

"So  you  don't  like  old  Thompson's  grub,  eht"  he  taqulred, 
when  Snowball  had  closed  the  door  beWnd  him. 

"Who's  '"hompson,  slrt" 

"The  prison  cook."  .        ^  ^  »i.  ju«„ 

"No,  sir !  I  should  have  preferred  to  have  had  my  meals  tlrom 
the  outside,  but  I  was  not  allowed  to  do  so."  .  -       , 

"You  would  have  been,  though.  If  you  hadn't  been  so  Infernal 
smart  with  that  tongue  o'  youm  the  night  you  was  pulled. 

"  Indeed  •  I  was  not  aware  that  I  had  so  deeply  offended  ray 
Jailers  that  they  would  wish  to  starve  me  In  order  to  revenge 

^^''S' here.  Grimes,  alias  Morris,  take  a  bit  ov  IVlendly 
advice,  and  when  you  get  your  head  in  the  lion's  mouth,  draw  It 
Sut  as  easy  as  ye  can,  or  yer  might  git  It  snapt  off.  And  while 
we're  waiting  for  breakfast,  I'll  juf,t  take  the  opportunity  t«  say 
?m  d-n  soiry  I  was  forced  to  pull  you  the  other  night,  but  you 
see  asTiow  there  was  several  complaints  made  to  tb«  Cap  about 
that  there  crib  &  youm,  and  In  course  he  had  to  °o««e  "  «"«; 
awhile,  an' he  ordered  me  to  pull  It.  I  oughter  P«"«djt  »Je 
night  &  the  big  row.  If  only  to  save  you  ftom  being  murdered  by 
the  fHends  of  Mooney  and  Delancy.  How  could  you  expect  to 
last,  an'  have  a  'muss'  In  yer  crib  every  night t  Now  do  you 
toke  a  hint,  an'  git  away  from  this  burgh  as  fast  as  yer  can. 


A 


D. 

mind,  howoTer,  to 
-headed  guardian 

bim  I  bad  been 
I  order  to  do  Just* 

nd-bell  wbich  was 
Ig  greasy  looking 


ing  OS  rigid  aa  a 

•efort"  demanded 

ball,  with  a  grin. 
,nd  be  damn  quick 

ehf"  he  inquired, 
m. 

bad  my  meals  from 

n't  been  so  infernal 
II  was  pulled." 
deeply  offended  my 
1  order  to  revenge 

(  a  bit  ov  friendly 
on's  mouth,  draw  It 
apt  off.  And  while 
I  opportunity  to  say 
ther  night,  but  you 
le  to  the  Cap  about 
id  to  notice  It  after 
ghter  pulled  It  the 
being  murdered  by 
sould  you  expect  to 
Ightt  Now  do  you 
as  fast  as  yer  can. 


MMi* 


,  rs  THl  LOCK-CF. 

Don't  you  be  a  fool  I  Tou'ro  made  enemies  hero  that  don't  for- 
«ot  nor  forgive  nothln',  an'  tbcy'ro  powerful  hero,  nu'  the  worst 
8ct  ()'  UKiii  iu  the  city.  I'm  lulvlsln'  yor  fur  yer  Rood,  an'  if  yer 
don't  take  it,  yer  fiienda  iiuiy  liiid  yer  ralssln'  some  Hue  day." 

"Then  you're  going  to  dlschurgo  met"  • 

"Yes,  I  Hbiin't  make  any  complaint  agin  yer;  I  didn't  want 
ter  du  It,  ttu'  I've  oakod  the  Cup  ter  let  yor  ko,  nu'  bo's  done  It." 

"Who  were  the  pcrsous  who  compluluod  ugaiiist  uiy  'crib,'  us 
you  call  itf" 

"Wo  never  answer  such  questions  as  tliem,  youngster,  and 
the  least  said  about  the  mutter  Is  tho  soonest  mended.  I'll  glvo 
yor  your  money  and  watch.  If  you  promise  mo  fuithful,  you'll 
leave  tho  city  to-day." 

"What  have  you  dono  with  my  faro-tools,  and  tho  fumlturof " 

"All  gambling  appurtenuuces,whei ever  found,  are  confiscated 
by  the  laws  of  tho  State." 

"Not  until  after  conviction,  I  believe,  and  then  the  power  of 
confiscation  lies  In  a  Judge  of  one  of  the  upper  courts,"  I  said,  In 
an  uulmpassloned  voice. 

"Yer  want  to  teach  me  the  law,  do  yerf  Now  you  take  what's 
offered  yer,  and  bo  damn  thankful  you've  got  off  so  easy." 

"I'm  sorry  to  say.  Lieutenant,  that  I  don't  feel  In  the  leust 
thankful  for  your  offer,  nor  shall  I  accept  It.  Now,  let  us  under- 
stand each  other  perfectly.  Your  'pulling'  me,  as  you  term  It, 
I  am  perfectly  satisfied  was  a  put-up  Job  between  yourself  and 
McGovern,  because  I  did  not  choose  to  Im)  black-mailed  Into 
giving  him  an  Interest  Into  my  game,  where  he  had  not  put 
in  a  single  cent  of  money.  He  wanted  to  break  up  my  game, 
and  have  me  robbed  by  you.  Tot  joined  him,  nothing  loth. 
You  have  broken  up  my  game,  but  you  shan't  rob  me  out  of  one 
single  cent.  If  I  can  help  It.  You  had  one  of  your  'Shysters' 
here  In  this  room  last  night,  trying  to  scare  me  Into  giving  blm 
an  order  for  my  money  and  property.  Ho  failed,  and  that  ' 
should  havo  satisfied  you  that  I  am  not  going  to  suffer  myself 
to  be  robbed  so  easily.  You  are  anxious  for  me  to  leave  tho 
city  I  am  perfectly  aware  why  you  are  so,  and  am  also  willing 
to  accommodate  you,  because  I  don't  like  trouble,  and  dor/t  caro 
about  distributing  my  money  to  lawyers,  if  I  can  get  along  with- 
out it.  But  if  you  keep  back  from  mo  one  cent's  worth,  which 
is  mine,  I'll  spend  every  dollar  I  possess,  trying  to  bring  you 


A 


^ 


iS* 


306 


WANDBMNGP  07  A  V^CABOND. 


I 


and  those  concerned  with  you,  to  punishment,  for  falsjiy  im- 
prisoning me !  Now,  will  you  give  me  my  property  or  not!" 

"I'm  only  here  to  obey  the  Cap's  orders,"  he  ans'vered,  gruff- 
ly, "and  I  can'-  do  noth'ng  only  what  he  tells  me  to." 

"Then,  Lieutenant,  it's  entirely  useless  fov  U3  two  to  have  any 
further  conversation  on  this  subject."  I  had  barely  finished 
when  Snowball  made  his  appearance  with  the  breakfast  tray  on 
his  head.  In  silence  we  ate  it,  although  the  negro  was  ordered 
from  the  room  as  soon  as  he  had  arranged  it  on  the  table.  I 
thought  my  man  was  anxious  I  should  resume  the  conversation, 
but  I  felt  in  no  way  disposed  to  gratify  him.  When  he  bad  fin- 
ished his  meal,  he  arose  from  the  table,  lit  a  cigar,  and  after 
giving  five  or  six  savage  whiffs,  he  again  turned  to  me  and  said, 
in  a  pompous  tone,  "Grimes,  I  did  want  to  get  you  out  of  this 
scrape,  as  easy  as  possible,  but  you're  as  obstinate  as  a  mule, 
and  there's  no  use  talking  to  you." 

"  Not  the  least,  Lieutenant ;  I've  told  you  what  I  wanted,  and 
what  I  would  do,  and  you  can  accept  or  reject  it,  just  as  you 
like,"  I  said,  in  the  same  unimpassioned  voice  as  I  bad  all  along 
conducted  the  interview. 

"  What  the  h — 1  do  yer  expect  to  do  about  it,  if  yer  don't  git 
yer  things  f"  he  demanded,  in  a  voice  choked  with  passio.i. 

"  That's  my  business,"  I  replied. 

"You're  a  d— n  fool.    You'd  fight  the  police,  eht    C tl 

'-ftlio  the  h— 1  is  going  to  listen  to  the  complaints  of  a  dirty 
blackleg!" 

"  I  don't  know,  but  I'll  try  and  see  if  the  police  are  allowed 
first  to  break  into  a  man's  premises  without  the  warrant  of  a 
magistrate,  then  arrest  a  man,  and  keep  him  in  prison  day  after 
day,  without  preferring  any  charges  against  him,  for  the  purpose 
of  robbing  him  of  his  money  and  valuables." 

"Now  look  here,  youngster!  don't  let  that  there  tongue  o' 
youm  wag  too  strong.  Enny  more  o'  your  sass,  an'  I'U  send  yer 
back  to  yer  cell,  an'  leave  yer  there  till  ye're  fergot ! " 

"I  fear  your  threats  as  little  as  I  est'^em  your  advice,"  I 
retorted. 

His  red  face  ablaze  with  anger,  and  the  gleam  of  hate  that 
shone  in  the  rufQan's  eyes,  showed  me  plainly  thut  the  villain's 
fingeis  were  itching  to  be  at  my  throat.  But  I  was  perfectly 
tranquil,  and  satisfied  that  my  property  would  be  restored  to  me. 


BOND. 

iment,  for  falsoly  im- 
property  ornotf" 
,"  he  ans^vered,  gruff- 
ells  me  to." 
fov  U3  two  to  have  any 
;  had  barely  finished 
the  breakfast  tray  on 
;ho  negro  was  ordered 
ed  it  on  the  table.    I 
ume  the  conversation, 
m.    When  he  had  fln- 
,  lit  a  cigar,  and  after 
turned  to  me  and  said, 
to  get  you  out  of  this 
)  obstinate  as  a  mule, 

ou  what  I  wanted,  and 
r  reject  it,  just  a«  you 
roice  as  I  bad  all  along 

ibout  it,  if  yer  don't  git 
loked  with  passio.i. 

e  police,  ehf    C ^tl 

complaints  of  a  dirty 

the  police  are  allowed 
thout  the  warrant  of  a 
him  in  prison  day  after 
nst  him,  for  the  i^urpose 

B3." 

Bt  that  there  tongue  rf 
ur  sass,  an'  I'll  send  yer 
'e're  fergot ! " 
;st«em  your  advice,"  I 

the  gleam  of  hate  that 
jlainly  tbut  the  villain's 
t.  But  I  was  perfectly 
would  be  restored  to  me. 


IN  THE  LOCK-UP. 


m 


F:ager  as  I  was  for  revenge  upon  those  who  had  broken  up  my 
business,  and  caused  me  to  be  imprisoned,  I  was  perfectly  aware 
of  the  obstacles  I  had  to  eucouuter  if  1  tried  to  carry  out  my 
scheme.  Any  trumped-up  charge  might  be  brought  on,  and  a 
dozen  suborned  witnesses  procured,  who  would  swear  to  its 
truth.  I  was  fully  coguizant  of  the  dangers  which  stared  me  in 
the  face  when  I  declared  war  on  the  police,  and  was  well  con- 
tent to  leave  the  city  and  its  dangers  and  quicksauds,  if  I  could 
get  back  my  property.  It  was,  with  me,  a  matter  of  pride,  that 
I  should  not  let  my  enemies  triumph  over  me  so  much  as  to  get 
my  mon^y  and  valuables;  and  I  verily  believe,  at  that  time,  I 
would  sooner  have  lost  every  cent  I  was  possessed  of,  in  the  ordi- 
nary way  of  play,  than  be  black-mailed  out  of  a  single  dollar  by 
these  scoundrels.  I  well  knew  the  McGovernites  would  not  fail  to 
do  me  an  ill  turn  whenever  it  might  be  in  their  power,  on  account 
of  the  warm  reception  I  had  gotten  up  for  their  benefit;  but 
their  enmity  I  cared  but  very  little  about,  buL  when  united  with 
the  machinations  of  a  powerful  and  unscrupulous  police,  who 
had  already  injured  me,  and  who  knew  I  was  willing,  if  not  Jible, 
to  retaliate  upon  them  for  the  wrongs  which  I  had  suffered  at 
their  hands,  I  was  satisfied  that  my  presence  in  New  York  city 
was  fraught  with  danger  to  myself,  and  the  sooner  I  left  the  place, 
the  better. 

When  the  Lieutenant  had  allowed  his  temper  to  cool  down  a 
little,  he  told  me  he  should  send  me  back  to  my  cell  until  ho  had 
consulted  with  his  Cap,  as  he  termed  him,  relative  to  my  affairs. 
Accordingly,  a  bell  was  rung,  and  I  wtis  again*  delivered  over  to 
my  jailer,  and  put  under  lock  and  key.  The  clock  was  striking 
one  as  I  was  once  more  brought  into  the  room,  and  the  presenco 
of  the  red-headed  Lieutenant.  "Well,  Grimes!"  he  said,  "the 
Cap's  consented  to  give  yoii  all  your  things,  provided  you  leave 
the  city  to-night." 

'*'  But  I  cannot !  I  must  sell  my  furniture  bf  fore  I  go," 
coolly. 

•'  How  much  do  you  want  for  it?  " 

"  Two  hundred  dollars." 

"  Then  I'll  give  you  a  hundred." 

"No,  sir!  The  sideboard  alone  cost  that  amount;  but  to 
facilitate  matters,  I'll  take  a  hundred  and  fifty." 

"  Very  well !    I'll  give  it,"  and  seizing  a  pen,  he  made  a  bill 


I  said, 


gOg  WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

Of  sale  of  my  furniture,  which  he  pushed  over  to  me,  and  ordered 
me  to  sik'u  it.  I  did  so,  after  I  had  read  it  over  carefully.  He 
Ten  hauSed  me  the  sum  agreed  upon,  $150.  "Now,  sir, 
which  way  are  you  going  to  travel!"  he  mquired,  with  some 
apiiearance  of  interest. 

'•  To  Richmond,"  I  answered.  ,         ,  ,    ,    *ut„ 

"Tliere's  a  boat  leaves  for  Richmond  at  four  o'clock  this 
afternoon.    I'll  have  a  carriage  to  come  for  you  in  ample  time. 

.'  But  there's  my  baggage  at  the  hotel,  and  my  biU  there, 
which  I  must  see  paid,"  I  cried. 

"Vl\  attend  to  that,  if  you'll  give  me  an  order  for  your 

bafltffage."  , 

"Several  articles  of  my  clothing  are  hanging  round  my  room, 
and  all  my  things  are  in  more  or  less  confusion.  I  must  attend 
to  them,  and  pack  my  trunk  myself."  ,,  ^-      ™» 

"  You  can't  go  1  •'  he  said,  in  a  determined  tone.  Give  me 
an  order,  and  I'll  get  all  that  belongs  to  you,  every  article,  anu 
have  them  brought  to  this  room." 

I  did  as  he  ordered  me,  and  in  something  less  than  an  hour  a 
time  my  baggage,  complete  in  every  respect,  arrived.    When 
I  had  expressed  myself  satisfied,  he  brought  me  my  watch  and 
money,  and  after  I  had  given  him  a  receipt,  as  he  desired  me, 
he  asked  me  if  I  had  any  more  commands.    I  told  him  that,  on 
our  way  to  the  boat,  I  wished  to  call  at  the  Bank  of  North 
America.    He  promised  to  do  so,  though  some  distance  out  of 
our  way.    Ho  then  brought  my  kit  ol  faro-tools,  which  were 
packed  in  my  valise.    I  arrac-ed  all  my  belongings  to  my  satis- 
faction, and  then  signified  to  my  red-headed  friend  that  I  was 
ready  to  emigrate.    Without  uiaking  me  my  reply,  he  shook  his 
hand-bell,  and  Snowball  appeared  iu  answer  to  the  summons. 
Take  this  trunk  and  other  baggage,  and  put  it  on  the  carnage 
at  the  door.    When  Snowball  had  duly  performed  this  duty, 
be  turned  to  me  with  a  gruflf  "  Come  along."    When  we  got  to 
the  door  I  saw  a  carriage,  and  my  plunder  stowed  away  round 
the  driver's  legs.    "  Get  in ! "  said  the  Lieutenant,  holding  the 
door  in  his  hand.    I  did  so.     He  then  whispered  a  few  words  to 
the  coachman,  and  then  followed  me  into  the  carriage ;  and  in  a 
moment  more  we  were  rolling  over  the  city  pavements  at  a 

rapid  pace.  ^    „    ,     *  -w^^i, 

"Have  you  ordered  the  driver  to  stop  at  the  Bank  of  Monn 


rD. 

;o  me,  and  crdered 
ler  carefully.  He 
150.  "Now,  sir, 
quired,  with  some 

i  four  o'clock  thia 
ou  in  ample  time." 
md  my  bill  therej 

an  order  for  your 

Qg  round  my  room, 
ou.    I  must  attend 

1  tone.  "  Give  me 
,  every  article,  and 

less  tban  an  hour's 
ict,  arrived.  When 
t  me  my  watch  and 
t,  as  he  desired  me, 

I  told  him  that,  on 
the  Bank  of  North 
jme  distance  out  of 
o-tools,  which  were 
ongings  to  my  satis- 
d  friend  that  I  waa 
y  reply,  he  shook  his 
er  to  the  summons. 
It  it  on  the  carriage 
lerformed  this  duty, 
;."    When  we  got  to 
:  stowed  away  round 
utcnant,  holding  the 
pered  a  few  words  to 
lie  carriage ;  and  in  a 
city  pavements  at  a 

t  the  Bank  of  North 


IS  THE  LOCK-UP. 


W& 


America  f  I  Inquired  after  we  had  gotten  fairly  under  way.  He 
nodded,  laid  buck  un  bis  seat,  and  spoke  not  a  word  until  we 
drew  up  before  the  bauk. 

"Hero's  the  bank,  be  quick !"  ho  said  to  me. 

A  few  moments  suflBced  for  nio  to  diiiw  up  a  check  for  the 
amount  I  had  deposited.  When  I  had  received  m^  money,  and 
again  entered  the  carriage,  the  Lieutenant  sung  out,  "To  the  boat, 
Holmes!"  Not  another  word  passed  the  lips  of  either  till  the 
landing  was  reached.  My  luggage  having  been  put  aboard,  I 
consulted  my  watch,  and  found  we  had  at  least  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  before  the  steamer  would  leave.  I  made  my  way  to  the 
after-cabin,  and,  to  my  vexation  and  annoyance,  I  discovered  my 
red-headed  guardian  still  at  my  heels.  "  You  don't  intend  to 
travel  with  me,  I  suppose  ?"    I  said,  testily. 

"  No!"  answered  my  tormentor,  with  the  utmost  calmness,  "  but 
I'll  keep  my  eye  on  you  till  the  boat  starts."  He  took  a  step  to- 
wards me,  put  his  hand  on  the  collar  of  my  coat,  and  whispered 
in  my  ear,  "Don't  you  ever  come  into  this  city  again, youngster, 
or  it  won't  be  healthy  for  ye." 

"  Neither  you  nor  your  diity  clique  own  New  York,"  I  replied, 
defiantly,  "  and  I  will  come  here  when  I  please,  in  spite  of  you." 

"Will  you,  though!"  ho  hissed  in  my  ear.  "If  I  ever  catch 
you  here,  I'll  send  you  up  the  river,  remember,  that."  Ho  van- 
ished from  my  side,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  were  steaming 
down  the  bay  of  New  York.  Neither  of  my  valiant  guardians, 
Kline  or  Jones,  nor  yet  Chapin,  did  I  ever  see  again  since  the 
eventful  night  of  my  arrest  by  the  red-headed  Lieutenant.  Neither 
did  I  ever  hear  of  my  servant  who  waited  on  the  door,  and  to 
whom  I  owed  a  fow  days'  wages.  McGovern  was  killed  in  the 
summer  of  1857  in  one  of  the  rows  between  the  Plug-Uglies  and 
the  Dead-Rabbits.  For  the  reUef  of  decent  people  he  did  not  die 
n,  moment  too  soon. 


m 


WANDKRIUGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER    XX  V 


BOXERS. 

We  are  Indebted  to  England  for  many  noble  pastimes,  and 
none  stands  more  prominent  among  them  tlian  that  of  the  prize- 
riu"     At  what  period  this  manly  sport  first  became  faahiouable 
among  the  Britishers,  I  am  unable  to  say— I  doubt  if  they  can 
themselves— and  I  have  never  yet  eujoyod  the  acquamtauce  of  a 
single  prize-fighter  whose  historical  recollections  went  beyond 
his  own  first  appearance  in  the  ring,  either  as  second  or  prm- 
cipal.    That  the  prize-ring  has  been  for  more  than  tliree  cen- 
turies a  favorite  sport  among  the  English,  is  unquestionable.    It 
has  been  patronized  by  the  patrician  and  the  plebeian,  and  those 
of  gentle  blood  have  frequently  "shucked  themselves,"  and  con- 
tended with  the  peasant  for  the  honors  of  the  ring.    It  is  true 
that  this  sport  has  had  opponents  in  England,  as  well  as  in  this 
country.    Strange  as  it  may  appear,  men  have  been  so  insane  as 
to  declare  the  manly  art  brutal  and  demoralizing,  and  statesmen 
in  England  have  at  different  periods  endeavored  to  suppress  it  by 
act  of  Parliament ;  but  the  besotted  prejudices  of  such  old  fogies 
were  condemned,  aa  they  deserved,  by  the  almost  unanimous 
voice  of  the  people.     No  statesman  has  ever  made  himself  popu- 
lar among  the  English  bv  advocating  the  destruction  of  any  of 
their  national  sports.     Within  the  last  thirty  years  the  pnze- 
ring  has  not  only  lost  much  of  its  pristine  purity,  but  has  fallen 
into  discredit,  and  from  the  once  proud  position  it  held  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  of  Great  Britain.    While  m  London,  I  heard 
a  veteran  of  the  ring  bewail  the  degeneracy  of  the  times  some- 
what  in  the  following  strain:  "  Why,  blarst  it,  wh  i  I  waa  a  lad 
a  prize-f  ghtor  wus  a  nobby  cove ;  the  swells  wus  his  pals,  an 
he'd  blunt  by  the  fist-fulls.    Why,  when  a  pair  o'  well  matched 
coves  went  hiuter  tiainin'  for  a  battle,  ye'd  seethe  nobs  diivm' 
to  the  trainin'-ground,  with  their  tandems,  hand  their  coaches 
an  four's,  just  as  if  they  were  goin'  to  receive  tome  blarsted 
furrin  prince.  Hevery  day  the  papers  would  be  looked  hinter  the 
first  thing,  ter  find  out  in  what  condition  the  men  stood,  and 
what  price  they  were  backed  at.    Damn  it,  if  'twar  a  run  for  the 
Darby  the  bookmakin'  couldn't  be  'eavler,  cr  more  excitm'. 


■ni 


ND. 


toble  pastimes,  and 
an  that  of  the  prize- 
became  fashiouable 
I  doubt  if  they  can 
10  acquaiutauce  of  a 
ictious  went  beyond 
as  second  or  prin- 
lore  than  three  cen- 
unquestionable.    It 
9  plebeian,  and  those 
lemselvcs,"  and  con- 
the  ring.    It  is  true 
Qd,  as  well  as  in  this 
bve  been  so  insane  as 
lizing,  and  statesmen 
ored  to  suppress  it  by 
ces  of  such  old  fogies 
e  almost  unanimous 
r  made  himself  popu- 
dcstruction  of  any  of 
lirty  years  the  prize- 
purity,  but  has  fallen 
)sition  it  held  in  the 
ile  in  London,  I  heard 
cy  iif  the  times  some- 
it  it,  whi  I  was  a  lad 
ells  wus  his  pals,  an' 
,  pair  o'  well  matched 
'd  see  the  nobs  drivin' 
is,  hand  their  coaches 
receive  tome  blarsted 
id  be  looked  hinter  the 
n  the  men  stood,  and 
t,  if  'twar  a  run  for  the 


ier,  cr  more  «xcitin' 


BOXBBS. 


311 


When  the  day  o'  battle  comes,  there  was  no  sueakln'  round  ter 
git  rid  o'  ther  peelers.  The  uoosepapers  told  the  people  where 
the  battle  would  come  oflf;  'twas  a  free  blow  to  horerybody,  hand 
them  as  couldn't  ride  would  walk  to  the  grounds,  hand  room 
wus  made  fur  heverybody  to  see  the  sport.  On  the  ground 
would  be  the  nobility  hand  the  gentry  bin  their  coaches,  hand 
hamong  'em  you'd  see  ladies  with  their  'ands  full  o'  bank-notes 
hand  guineas,  backin'  their  man,  same  as  the  swells.  Blarst  it ! 
hit  makes  a  man  feci  young  again,  ter  think  o'  the  good  old  times. 
None  o'  yer  blarsted  swell-mobs  broke  up  the  ring  then  if  their 
coves  couldn't  win,  none  o'  yer  bloody  duffers  wus  chosen  fur  re- 
ferees; but  blooded  gentlemen,  the  first  hiu  the  land,  who'd  see 
the  best  man  win.  But  look  at  the  blarsted  mills  the  blaggti-  "<) 
git  up  now-a-days !  Blarst  it,  they're  bloody  'umbugs  1  ' 
coves  his  matched,  ha  great  blow  his  made  habout  it  when  tht 
traiuin'  fur  battle.  The  sportin'  papers  his  squared  to  blow  up 
the  men  an'  the  match;  the  honest  patrons  o'  the  ring  his  told 
that  the  ground  hand  the  day  o'  battle  must  be  kept  secret,  cos 
■why  t  the  peelers  will  break  up  the  mill.  Three  or  four  nights 
before  it's  ter  take  place,  tickets  is  sold  fur  a  place  hon  the  ground 
hand  hin  the  railroad-car,  hat  one,  two,  three,  or  four  soverings 
apiece.  A  tralu  o-  cars  his  'ired  to  take  the  spectators  ter  the 
ground,  hand  when  hit  gets  a  mile  or  so  outside  o'  Lunnon  hit 
stops,  hand  they  hare  hinformed  there's  no  fight,  cos  the  peelers 
'as  pulled  the  coves.  Hif  they  bask  their  blunt  back,  they  gits 
a  laugh  for  their  pains.  The  whole  thing  his  a  bloody  'umbug 
from  first  to  last.  Heven  the  blarsted  peelers  his  squared  to  pull 
the  coves.  Hif  hits  an  honest  mill  hits  broke  hup  hin  a  row  be- 
fore the  blocdy  duflfers  as  backs  the  thrashed  cove  will  give  up 
their  blunt.  No  gentleman  ought  ter  go  ter  one  o'  their  blarsted 
mills;  hif  he  does  'es  robbed,  cos  hall  the  thieves  hand  pick- 
pockets o'  Lunnon's  there." 

We  Americans  have  always  been  a  fighting  people ;  if  lead  or 
steel  has  not  been  brought  into  action,  the  combatants  have 
gone  at  poch  other  rough-and-tumble,  kick,  strike,  punch,  bite, 
scratch  or  gouge,  all  of  which  were  considered  fair.  To  assist 
in  the  polishing  of  these  rough  traits  in  our  charucter,  England 
has  at  divers  times  sent  us  over  professors  in  the  manly  art  of 
self-defense.  At  first,  these  honorable  parties  confined  their  ex- 
ertions to  the  large  cities  on  our  seaboard.    Their  schools  and 


^  WiSMEISOS  OIT  A  TiOiUOBD. 

"coul/score  o„o  ou  bi.  nob  o«  a  --» -^J^^f  ^^JCd  b. 

1„  the  bands  ot  Bailors  »od  »^»  »X%"^rd  f"  tbfeuS*a^ 
ment  of  a  more  respectable,  if  not  Uiore  Buub'^>"'  Britain 

self-defense.  Of  these  gladiato.o  the  ^"^^.^^^.J;^", ^i^gse  were 

ssrsrLrr,'s«5r:^r^- 

.    ^ve  them  from  throwing  up  the  T °8«  ^i?!t o^  Che  Irish 
rock.    The  partisan  and  ^^^'^ZSr  lo^lm^y^^  a  cham- 
at  all  ring-fights,  where  one  of  the^  ^l^J^^XfouTplay,  had  a 
pion,  and  tbeir  unmanj  d.sposU.on^t^^^^^^^^^ 
tendency  to  combme  agamst  them  the  ^ougn  e 
nationaUties,  and  in  this  mamier  were  created  two  nvai  ia« 


(D. 

(1  by  the  English, 
lud  also  by  sailors. 
US  of  new-fangled 
mpt,  very  much  at, 

learning  to  dread 
discovered  himself 
jhoulder-hltter  who 
id  coolly  step  out  of 
at  first  despised  he 
le  his  preceptor  also, 
confined  to  the  Im- 
spectablllty,  wealth, 

In  order  to  give  a 
until  1830,  had  been 
j3  of  the  foreign  ele- 
rd  for  the  eutertaln- 
ghteued  class.  Those 
■ling  of  Great  Britain 
ibitants  in  the  art  of 
rere  perhaps  the  best, 
an  two  of  these  were 
[Uietlyas  a  prize-fight 
an  Irlshraam  be  pit- 
and  a  row  was  pretty 
ippened  he  could  not 
jlannlsh  disposition  of 
heir  countrymen  lose 
md  tapping."     Many 
their  fortunes  against 
untry,  almost  invarla- 
lowlng  they  could  ex- 
n  the  Irish,  they  sought 
lose  for  their  colors  the 
pted  banner  could  not 
wfore  the  green  sham- 
rit  shown  by  the  Irish 
intrymen  was  a  cham- 
jvards  foul  play,  had  a 
ugh  element  of  all  other 
eated  two  rival  fefition* 


BOXEBS. 


313 


In  New  Tork  and  Philadelphia,  and  to  some  extent  in  Boston. 
Had  these  rowdy  partisans  settled  their  disputes  in  the  prize- 
rlrg,  instead  of  In  drlukiug-saloous  and  around  polling-booths, 
thb  cities  named  would  have  escaped  many  of  the  bloody  and 
disgraceful  scenes  which  they  witnessed.    But  It  seems  to  have 
been  destined  otherwise;    when  local  politics  marshaled  the 
hostile  rowdy  factions  into  their  ranks,  from  that  moment  the 
prize-ring  became  a  political  power,  and  one  of  the  established 
institutions  of  the  country.     These  factions  were  Ireland  and 
Young  America  In  the  ring.    At  first,  in  politics.  Democrats  and 
Native  Americans,  and  when  the  Enow  Nothing  banner  was  fiung 
to  the  breeze,  "  Dead-Rabbits"  and  "  Plug-Uglles."    Deep  and 
sore  was  the  humiliation  of  Young  America  that  she  could  not, 
firom  her  own  soil,  produce  a  hero  capable  of  mahitaining  her 
supremacy  in  the  prize- ring.    The  champions  of  her  adoption 
were  entirely  of  foreign  birth,  and  from  a  country  which  she  de- 
spised and  hated;  even  these  had  proven  failures.    The  jeers  of 
her  hated  foes  rankled  deeply  in  her  breast.     When  it  came  to 
combats  on  the  brick-bat,  slung-shot,  "  knock-down  and  drag- 
out"  principle,  her  champions  could  "  whale  blazes"  out  of  the 
"  Micks,"  but  in  a  forty  foot  ring  they  found  themselves  no- 
where.     We  had  a  tremendous  country,  we  had  the  largest 
lakes,  swamps,  and  rivers,  the  biggest  forests  and  tallest  timber; 
we  raised  the  most  corn,  cotton,  tobacco,  and  pumpkins ;  built 
the  best  and  fastest  ships,  and  could  man  them  with  sailors  able 
to  whip  all  creation ;  we  had  the  largest  hotels  and  steamboats, 
and  the  largest  railroads,  and  blew  up  and  smashed  up  more 
people  than  all  the  worid  beside;  we  had  the  best  mlUtary  acacf- 
emy  on  earth,  the  finest  schools  and  colleges,  better  preachers, 
abler  statesmen,  and  more  eloquent  orators ;  and  the  Englibber 
always  tM,  "you know,"  we  had  the  cleverest  rascals,  and  more 
of  them  than  any  country  on  the  face  of  the  globe.    But  as  John 
Bull  has  always  been  somewhat  jealous  of  us,  any  of  bis  state- 
ments regarding  us  should  be  taken  with  the  proverbial  "  grain 
of  salt."    But  notwithstanding  all  the  blessings  showered  upon 
up  by  an  indtvjent  Providence,  we  were  denied  a  flrst-class 
bruiser  to  sustain  our  honor  in  the  prize-ring,  and  like  Haman  of 
old,  "  all  this  availed  as  nothing  while  Mordecai  sat  at  the  king's 
gate;"  and  if  it  was  intended  as  a  punishment  for  our  trans- 
gressions we  certainly  felt  the  hifliction  keenly.    But  at  length 


^j 


814 


WANDEKIN08  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


the  dav8  of  our  mourning  were  ended,  and  a  champion  arose 
whose  prowess  redeemed  his  country's  fame  The  hero  w^  no 
whitewashed  American,  but  one  who  sprung  from  the  soil,  and  .. 
an  unblemished  pedigree.  Tom  Hyer,  in  the  sprius  of  184J, 
Stored  our  long  tarnished  fame  by  suitably  pummcl.ng 
vTukee  sSuivan  in  a  forty  foot  ring.  The  latter  was  the  victor 
of  a  dozen  battJes;  and  one  of  the  best  light-weight  pug.Usts  m 

*^lmeSan  vanity  claims  that  Burgoyne's  surrender  at  Sara- 
toga was  one  of  the  fifteen  decisive  battles  of  the  wo  Id.     H  s- 
toSns  teU  us  that  it  brought  more  hope  and  joy    o  the  do- 
Bponding  patriots  than  any  other  battle  of  the  Revolut  on^    I 
B?nt  a  thrill  of  exultation  throughout  the  strugghng  laud,  which 
was  only  equaled  when  the  electric  news   flashed  over  the 
wh-es,  that  the  heroic  Thomas  had,  in  a  battle  o   seventeen 
rounds,  pounded  the  celebrated  "Yankee  Sullivan"  nearly  out 
of  all  semblance  to  humanity.    The  victory  was  regarded  in  tho 
light  of  a  new  leaf  added  to  our  national  laurels  by  thousands 
who  would  not  countenance  a  prize-fighter  nor  adorn  a    miU 
with  their  presence.    It  is  true,  it  was  believed  by  many  that 
Svan  "  threw  off"  the  fight,  but  "  kickers"  w  11  be  found  in 
every  country.    For  the  first  time  in  the  annals  of  the  country, 
New  York  city  had  produced  a  celebrity-a  Hyer  1  who  had  re- 
deemed  his  country,  not  exactly  from  the  chains  of  a  tyrant, 
but  from  what"  entitled  him  to  certainly  as  much  gratitude,  the 
vile  reproaches  of  insulting  foreigners,  that  we  were  unable  to 
produce  a  thorough-bred  boxer  on  our  own  soil,     lo  Young 
America  he  was  the  beau  ideal  of  all  that  was  great  and  noble, 
the  finest  gentleman  in  the  land,  and  "could  whip  any  d-d  fur- 
rin  scoundrel  that  could  be  imported."    He  became  a  sort  of 
deity  but,  like  many  of  those  of  the  fabulous  ages,  he  lacked  all 
the  attributes.     He  had  neither  brains  nor  educatiri  sufficient 
to  make  hhn  a  political  leader,  when  his  popularity  might  have 
earned  him.     He  squandered  the  money  lavished  upon  him  by 
his  admirers,  with  a  reckless  hand,  until  he  became  a  burden 
upon  them,  when  they  shook  him  off.    He  tried  to  replenl^  his 
revenues  by  tenwrizUig  over  certain  gamblers  of  New  York. 
Some  of  these  for  a  while  submitted  to  his  extortions;  but 
others  would  not  give  him  their  money,  nor  submit  to  have  their 
games  broken  up,  unless  he  was  disposed  to  go  up  against  lead, 


NO. 


BOXEBS. 


315 


a  champfoa  arose 
,  The  hero  was  no 
from  tUo  soil,  aud  of 
the  sprluj?  of  1841), 
ultably  pumuicling 
attcr  was  the  victor 
-weight  pugilists  la 

surrender  at  Sara- 
jf  the  world.     Uis- 
and  joy  to  the  do- 
the  Revolutiou,     It 
•uggling  laud,  which 
■8   flashed  over  the 
battle  of  seveutceu 
Sullivan"  nearly  out 
was  regarded  in  the 
aurels,  by  thousands 
nor  adorn  a  "mill" 
ilieved  by  many  that 
ors"  will  be  found  in 
inals  of  the  country, 
I  Hyer  1  who  had  ro- 
I  chains  of  a  tyrant, 
much  gratitude,  the 
vt  we  were  unable  to 
wn  soil.     To  Young 
was  great  and  noble, 
Id  whip  any  d— d  fur- 
He  became  a  sort  of 
}us  ages,  he  lacked  all 
)r  educatiri  sufficient 
jopularity  might  have 
lavished  upon  him  by 
he  became  a  burden 
i  tried  to  replenish  his 
mblers  of  New  York. 
I  his  extortions;  but 
>r  submit  to  have  their 
to  go  up  against  lead, 


or  cold  steel— articles  held  in  wholesome  awo,  invariably,  by  your 
muscle  expounder,  lie  finally  died  in  a  state  of  destitution,  iu 
1864,  and  was  buried  by  the  charity  of  his  friuniLs. 

For  several  yours  before  llycr's  victory  over  Sullivan,  the 
prize-ring  was  a  political  power.  Upon  the  lighter  who  estab- 
lished his  reputation  in  the  ring,  were  showered  wealth  and 
honors.  Being  too  ignorant  in  all  cases  to  till  any  sort  of  ofllce, 
they  were  usually  presented  by  their  admirers  with  a  gorgeous 
drinking-saloon,  which  became  the  general  resort  of  all  rowdies 
of  whichever  faction  was  so  fortunate  as  to  enroll  them  under 
its  banner.  In  this  manner  did  the  prize-flghtcr  find  "great- 
ness thrust  upon  him,"  and  became  prominent  as  a  ward  poli- 
tician. Aspirants  for  political  favor  sought  his  society,  and 
both  by  flattery  and  bribes  courted  his  political  influence,  and 
woe  to  the  unlucky  candidate  who  refused  to  do  so,  or  in  any 
manner  expressed  his  disapprobation  of  the  F.  11. ;  he  very  shortly 
found  himself  compelled  to  take  a  back  seat.  The  result  of  this 
was  that  the  city  offices  were  filled  with  none  but  the  ignorant 
and  the  coiTupt;  men  who  had  only  the  twofold  object,  to  assist 
their  friends  politically,  and  to  enrich  themselves  at  the  expense 
of  the  citizens.  Had  the  two  factions  coalesced  instead  of  split- 
ting up  into  parties  bitterly  jealous  of  each  other's  power,  the 
wealth  and  power  of  the  city  had  been  prostrate  under  its  feet. 
But  fortunately  for  the  citizens,  it  split  into  two  factions,  and 
very  turbulent  ones.  Both  had  their  fashionable  head-quarters 
as  well  as  their  newspapers,  wliich  kept  the  people  at  large  post- 
ed up  with  regard  to  each  match  that  was  made,  the  course  of 
training  underwent  by  the  n .  pective  champions,  as  well  as  their 
biographies,  in  which  their  virtues  and  the  important  services 
they  had  rendered  to  the  prize-ring  were  duly  recorded.  Re- 
porters belonging  to  the  most  respectable  papers  were  on  hand, 
as  well  as  artists  with  their  pencils,  to  transmit  to  posterity  the 
mwt  msigniflcant  incident  of  the  fight,  ftom  the  building  of  the 
ring  to  the  throwing  up  of  the  sponge.  Whenever  one  of  the  illus- 
trious lights  of  the  P.  R.  died,  or,  as  more  frequently  happened, 
was  killed,  the  remains  of  the  illustrious  hero  wovdd  be  followed 
to  its  last  resting  place  by  a  splendid  funeral  cortege,  accom- 
panied by  bands  of  music,  with  muffled  drums;  all  the  gin-shops, 
coflee-houses,  and  sometimes  the  public  buildings,  were  draped 
in  black.  A  stranger  arriving  in  the  city,  and  seemg  this  *\  pomp 


tl6 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


and  clrcurastanco,"  would  naturally  suppose  that  the  nation 
mniimod  one  of  her  most  illustrious  and  honored  sons. 
""TTMexica"  war  aflorded  some  slight  relief  to  the  cities  of 
New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  and  New  Orleans,  by  freeing 
Siem  of  BO  ne  of  their  rowdies.    Boston  sent  out  to  Mexico  one 
jSghnl  of  her  roughs,  Philadelphia  two,  while  Now  Ym-k  sent 
one  to  Join  the  army  under  General  Scott,  and  another  to  tali- 
fornla     Now  Orleans  sent  two  six  months  regiments,  but  they 
were  disbanded  after  a  two  months'  residence  In  the  swamps  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  with  the  exception  of  those  among  them  whoso 
bines  were  laid  there  by  disease.    On  the  whole,  not  more  than 
one-half  of  those  sent  out  ever  returned  to  their  homos;  the 
"mailr  either  having  been  killed  In  battle    or  died  from 
diseases  peculiar  to  the  country.    The  next  drain  upon  the 
?Tori"  Element  in  our  large  cities,  was  the  California  excite- 
ment   b«t  with  the  growth  of  these  cities,  particularly  New 
?ork 'and  Philadelphia,  increased  the  rowdy  element,  which 
until  tho  commencement  of  our  civil  war,  held  the  political 
iSl     That    vent  not  only  greatly  thinned  out  those  gentry 
Ca  most  entirely  destroyed  their  ruffianly  rule.    Now  Orleans 
Zt  at  least  fifteen  hundred  of  the  worst  hel  -hounds  that  ever 
Tgra^od  humanity,  to  the  Confederate  armies  In  Virginia  and 
Arkansas;  and  Louisville  sent  as  many  aa  five  hundred  of  her 
PlSSios  to  fight  for  the  Confederacy,  and  Baltimore  fur- 
nSfedmore  than  one  thousand;  butthese  last,  instead  of  seizing 

Jhi  muskets  and  "  dying  in  the  last  ditch,"  became  spies  and 
Emrs     on  the  flrst'c^l  "to  arms,"  Philadelphia  sentflyo  or 
STgtmenta  of  roughs  down  Into  Virginia,  those  among  them 
SSo  eTaped  the  ravages  of  disease,  and  the  ^^tt  °   -Uirned 
Cmn  after  belne  mustered  out  of  a  three  yea  i'  service,  and 
S  nlver  be  induced  to  enlist  afterwards.    Since  their  return 
Zy  vote  the  Democratic  ticket  to  a  man,  winch  enables  them 
Sllmtt  control  the  city  govemment     When  the  news  of  the 
bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  reached  New  York,  the  rowdy 
-fjr«tt  ToninJoverwith  patriotism,  formed  themselves  into 
t:^:^^^irsoToF.mcU  were  officered  with  shln^g 
Ete  of  the  P.  R      Officers  and  men  left  the  city  with  the  idea 
S  they  were  going  to  "chaw  up"  the  "secesh,"  oody  and 
^es    but  If  anv  among  them  ever  returned  from  the  front, 
J^r^d  with  the'glory  of  heroic  deeds,  the  recording  scribes  of 


■'iMi.u'wiiitiy-iwwWit'^'^*" " 


ND. 

se  that  the  nation 
)red  sons. 

(liof  to  tho  cities  of 
Orleans,  by  freeing 
t  out  to  Mexico  ono 
hilo  Now  York  sent 
i\d  anotlior  to  C'ali- 
rogimouts,  but  they 
ICO  in  the  swamps  of 
J  among  them  whoso 
rholo,  not  more  than 
to  their  homes;  the 
Dattle,  or  died  from 
ext  drain  upon  the 
he  California  csclte- 
os,  particularly  Now 
vdy  elomont,  which, 
r,  hold  tho  political 
edout  those  gentry, 
jrrule.    New  Orleans 
lell-hounds  that  ever 
rmlos  In  Virginia  and 
9  five  hundred  of  her 
,  and  Baltimore  fur- 
last,  instead  of  seizing 
;h,"  became  spies  and 
liladelphla  sent  five  or 
a ;  those  among  them 
.  the  bfttle,  returned 
>e  yea  i'  service,  and 
Is.    Since  their  return 
1,  which  enables  them 
When  tho  news  of  the 
J^ew  York,  the  rowdy 
)rnied  themselves  into 
officered  with  sbinlng 
t  the  city  with  the  idea 
}  "secesh,"  body  and 
turned  from  the  front, 
;he  recording  scribes  of 


BOXBM. 

the  war  have  either  been  too  prejudiced  to  do  them  Juatice,  or 
have  forgotten  it  entirely.  A  regiment  of  these  coves,  calUug 
themselves  the  "Fire  Zouaves,"  who  had  blown  their  trum"'5t« 
remarkably  loud,  and  threatened  tho  Southrons  with  a  doom 
as  sanguinary  as  tho  color  of  their  own  breeches,  were  brought 
into  action  for  the  first  time  at  tho  battle  of  Bull  Run.  They 
only  waited  to  hear  one  volley  from  the  guns  of  tho  "seceshers," 
but  threw  down  their  muskets  and  started  for  Washington,  a 
distance  of  nearly  thirty  miles,  and  never  stopped  until  they 
reached  it ;  on  the  principle,  doubtless,  that 

"  He  who  fiRhta  nnd  mni  away 
May  lire  to  fight  miothor  day  i 
But  he  who  U  la  battle  slain 
Can  never  hope  to  light  again." 

Since  the  last  terrible  uprising  of  the  roughs,  in  the  summer  of 
1863,  which  Is  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  all,  these  gentry  have 
learned  that  it  is  not  wise  for  them  to  indulge  in  such  demon- 
strations, and  have  been  kept  In  pretty  good  subjection. 

Plug-Uglyism,  Dead-Rabbltism,  and  Thuggery,  have  passed 
away  with  the  days  in  which  they  flourished,  but  the  material  of 
wliich  they  were  composed  still  remains,  though  now  held  In 
salutary  check  by  a  well-dlsclpUned  police  force,  backed  by  the 
bayonets  of  the  military.  The  rowdy  element  still  flourishes, 
and  Is  still  a  power  In  the  cities  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
and  a  united  one.  In  these  cities,  the  commission  of  brutal 
murders  by  election  roughs  Is  of  almost  dally  occurrence  in 
times  of  excitement,  and  the  perpetrators  walk  abroad  In  open 
day,  fearlessly,  as  It  is  seldom  one  is  punished  for  his  atrocious 
conduct.  Bands  of  organized  thieves  are  continually  committing 
buclr  depredations  on  the  community,  and  are  either  allowed  to 
go  "scot  free,"  or,  if  arrested,  to  purchase  their  freedom,  or  in 
some  way  escape  the  punishment  they  so  richly  deserve;  be- 
cause, to  a  man,  on  election  days,  they  work  to  elevate  their 
chosen  friends  to  ofllce.  The  detectives  "stand  In"  with  the 
thieves.  Justice  is  administered  by  an  unscmpulous  set  of  men, 
whose  decisions  are  often  more  In  accordance  with  their  feelings, 
and  those  of  their  friends,  than  strict  justice;  consequently  the 
laws  are  enforced  only  against  obscure  or  friendless  persons. 
Let  any  unfortunate  render  himself  obnoxious  to  any  of  the  prom- 
inent politicians  of  New  York,  a  charge  is  trumped  up  against 


318  WANDERINGS  0»  A  VAdADOND. 

him,  aud  vUlaln.  are  suborned  to  swear  "^^y  J!»  "^Sll^'l 
Laps  even  his  life.    None  who  have  read  "  M  •    e  th  «to 
think,  could  fail  to  shud.lor  at  the  ''""'^  «J''^^Jt  rl";^ 

nracticiDK  lawyers,  well  versed  iu  alUhe  cunning  artifices  us»i 
at  the  Slna  bar-men  who  are  consi.lered  highly  respectable, 
lupytews  in  prominent  churches,  and  outwanlly  strictly  ob- 
Tve  all  the  religious  duties  of  their  creed;  "J°  ^^^^^^  °^^^^^^^^ 
thev  keep  the  outside  of  the  platter  clean,  but  within,     all  w 
lottenneTs  and  dead  tnen's  bones."    Why  ^^ould  they  raise  thdr 
voloe  in  behalf  of  some  poor,  wronged,  obscure  wretch,  who  can 
hr  nVthem  no  glory,  and  has  not  even  a  cent  to  pay  themt 
Whv'sSd  they  draw  upon  themselves  the  enmity  of  a  power- 
Klltical  clique,  only  for  the  sake  of  «  elng  justice  done,  and 
.    train  nothing  material  by  it  elthorf 

BuJwhy  fhould  any  one  desire  to  send  an  Innocent  man  to 
Staters  prison!  Just  so;  but  why  are  some  ^v  It  S^ 
sometimes  to  send  a  rich  relative  to  the  lunatic  asyl""'*  Be- 
cause they  have  something  to  gain  by  it.  Policy,  gain,  revenge, 
oXt,  are  generally  the  whips  with  which  the  devd  scourges  on 
mankind  to  the  commission  of  such  deeds. 

A  person  knowing  more  than  ml,^ht  be  dosiraWe  of  the  affal«, 
or  perhaps  the  previous  life  of  some  powerful  individual,  high  In 
Authority,  might  some  day  ventilu  ,  his  knowledge,  possibly 
Sfrl  couft  of  justice;  but  If  bis  wisdom  is  railroaded  to 
State's  nrison.  his  evidence  becomes  harmless.     A  poor,  Dui 
St^oSs  young  fellow  may  become  popular  in  the  ward  whe^ 
rulr  Such'rising  eaglets  are,  ^^  ^f  ^^^^f '^^^Xlnlf  .^ 
of  inquietude  to  the  reigning  P«»«<!«\/*^°'^^*«'7J°  *^^^^^^^^ 
Booner  their  wings  are  clipped,  the  better.    T^e  Thugs^New 
Orleans  would  have  handed  such  as  these  over  to  the  "^ssasslns , 
b«    these  little  aflfalrs  are  managed  in  a  n^ore  humane  nranner 
by  the  political  powers  of  New  York  city.    With  the  assistance 
of  a  pliable  judge,  a  clever  lawyer,  and  tbree  ^r  four  subonied 
witnesses,  he  Is  ticketed  and  handed  over  to  the  keepers  or 


iND. 

r  hl8  liberty,  or  per- 
"  Monte  Cbrlsto,"  I 

viUiiiuy  which  con- 
If,  ftud  felt  relieved 
creation  of  a  fertile 
10  hivvo  been  placed 

their  liberty  Bwom 
ch  acts  are  no  secret 

among  thorn  being 
inning  artlflcoe  uaed 
d  highly  respectable, 
utwardly  strictly  ob- 

Uke  the  Jews  of  old, 
1,  but  within,  "all  ta 
hould  they  raise  their 
jure  wretch,  who  can 
I,  cent  to  pay  themf 
le  enmity  of  a  power- 
ling  justice  done,  and 

an  Innocent  man  to 
mo  people  so  anxious 
lunatic  asylum  t  Be- 
Pollcy,  gain,  revenge, 
I  the  devil  scourges  on 

loalrable  of  the  affairs, 
rful  individual,  high  in 
B  knowledge,  possibly 
sdom  Is  railroaded  to 
irmloss.      A  poor,  but 
iilar  in  the  ward  where 
icltrant,  always  objects 
Lvorlte,  who  thinks  the 
r.    The  Thugs  of  New 
e  over  to  the  assassins ; 
,  more  humane  manner 
y.    With  the  assistance 
three  or  four  suborned 
over  to  the  keepers  of 


BOXERS.  HP 

Sing  Sing  for  a  fv.w  years.  Love,  o;  rather  lust,  has  somdtlmes 
hud  something  to  do  with  this  ex  raordiuary  railroading.  A 
handsonio  wife,  sister,  or  daughter,  may  bo  a  desired  object,  and 
tliuir  lioiiHr  may  be  protected  as  far  as  in  them  lies  by  a  husband, 
fiitlicr,  or  brothers.  Should  thcso  prove  troul)lc8ome,  and  lovo 
honor  better  than  money,  the  easiest  way,  {Msrhaps,  of  removing 
them  out  of  the  path  of  the  seducer,  is  to  railroad  them  into  the 
State's  prison;  not  a  difficult  task,  if  the  modus-operandi  be 
well  understood.  Witness  the  following  extract  firom  the  Her' 
aid,  (New  York),  Dec.  23rd,  1860: 

Jl  waif   from   the   orient. 

On  the  application  of  Mr.  David  B.  Philip,  a  writ  of  habeat 
corpus  was  granted  yesterday,  by  Judge  Troy,  of  Brooklyn,  in 
the  case  of  Miss  Hentus  Harootiima,  who  had  been  sent  to  the 
penitentiary  for  the  term  of  two  months,  by  Justice  Lynch,  on  a 
chargo  of  malicious  trespass.  The  lady,  who  is  a  native  of 
Turkey,  finely  educated,  and  highly  accomplished,  is  about 
twenty-flve  years  of  ago,  and  very  prepossessing,  was  brought 
Into  the  Court  of  Sessions  yesterday,  when  Mr.  A.  Bedrosiara, 
who  appeared  on  behalf  of  Mr.  C.  C.  Oscanyan,  the  Turkish 
Consul,  acted  as  her  interpreter,  and  stated  her  case  to  the 
Court.  From  her  story,  it  would  appear  that  she  was  the  vic- 
tim of  the  most  despl'-able  outrage.  A  year  or  so  ago,  she  says, 
a  man  named  C.  H.  Christian,  a  confectioner  on  Fulton  Avenue, 
Brooklyn,  formed  her  acquaintance  in  Turkey,  and  induced  her 
to  elope  with  him  to  this  country.  She  had  considerable  money 
at  the  time,  amounting  to  within  something  like  four  hundred 
pounds  sterling,  and  on  his  promising  to  make  her  his  wife  as 
soon  as  they  arrived  in  this  country,  she  gave  him  her  mon«5y, 
and  consented  to  elope  with  him  from  her  home,  and  followed 
him  to  America.  On  reaching  this  country.  Christian  established 
a  confectionery  store,  with  the  money  he  had  obtained,  but  re- 
fused to  marry  her,  and  recently,  when  she  asked  him  for  some 
money,  acted  in  a  very  violent  manner  towards  her.  On  the 
5th  inst.  he  had  her  arrested,  taken  before  Justice  Lynch,  and 
sent  to  Raymond  Street  Jail  for  ten  days.  On.  the  day  of  her 
release  she  again  returned  to  the  house  of  her  betrayer,  and 
rung  the  door-bell.    Christian  appeared  at  the  door,  she  says, 


jgO  -WAND7MN08  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

,     ^-wuiWftwav     Having  no  Other  home,  and  not  know- 
and  ordered  her  a^ay.    ua     g  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

^"*::?Ter  ane^t  inTlS  laaiou  be  made  a  charge  of  tres- 
caused  ^^'^^^"f -^^^Sa  »o»,  the  Justice  sent  her  to  the  Kmgs 
pass,  and,  **  ***^,  *;;';"Sbu8h  for  two  months.  The  atten- 
^'"ItL'trkrclTw^^^^^  to  the  case,  and  through 
Sr"~  woman  .^.Ijher^^^^^^^  ^^^^ 

I  oL  it  would  be  just  and  proper  *«  ^^^^^^ 'leUedr 

He  said  ho  l>ad  in  several  ins fnces  be«^  compeUed  i         ^^^^ 

parties  sent  to  prison  ^^  J^^^^^J'  f^f  ^^  J  She  attention 
had  been  -nade,  and  be  thought  t  time  ^,  J^^'  ^y  ^. 

of  the  grand  jury  was  called  to  It.    Theiaaywa«i. 

cbargod. 

Respectability  ma.es  Vt^oL*  oS^^fritTo^ri-n^^^^^ 
and  solidts  Justice  to  send  f  n°^^«"!^^Jf ".«  ^^^  of  voting 
months.    The  obsequious  J««t.ce  grants  tf^ej^ue^^^^     ^^^^^^ 

Itespectability.    Humanity  steps  in  and  tokes  ^^^    J      ^^ 

a  hW  ^J^^-f^^i^^i;  XSfficifnf  ell!  and  orders 
been  deprived  of  her  liberty  wuqoui  District  Attor- 

her  to  b^  released.  The  Justice  •''f  J"^^'"^,'^ j^"^^^^^  he  has 
ney  that  this  is  by  no  means  the  fi^l^^^^n  ^re  „^  proper 
been  compelled  to  release  P'^''^'^/^^^  ^^^1  T^ere^  jus- 
and  sufficient  complaint  wjis  made  ^S^^^^^J^^c  of  the  brave! 

tice  for  you!  in  the  ^-"f  «/ "j^^rfl^^^^^^^  io- 

where  the  "  star-spangled  banner,   Oaunung  tersof 


vaasj>. 

hom«5,  and  not  know- 
house,  when  he  again 
made  a  charge  of  tres- 
801)  t  her  to  the  Kiugs 

0  months.    The  atten- 
the  case,  and  through 

jd  from  prison.  Judge 
erving  a  great  deal  of 
,  District  Attorney  to  it, 
bmit  to  thf  grand  jury. 
3n  compelled  to  release 
re  no  proper  complaint 
now,  that  the  attention 
lady  was  promptly  ^s- 

ipaM  against  Obscnrity, 
bscurity  to  prison  for  two 
ts  the  request  of  voting 
a  takes  Obscurity  before 
es  that  the  prisoner  has 
fficient  cause,  and  orders 
iforms  the  District  Attor- 
iustance  in  which  he  has 

1  prison  where  no  proper 
Hiist  them.  There's  jus- 
dthe  home  of  the  brave! 
lunting  to  the  breeze,  in- 

,  from  the  four  quarters  of 
ier  its  broad  segis,  prom- 
What  a  mockery ! 


PBKSKCCTIOlf.  SW 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

PERSECUTION. 

Up  to  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war  few  gamblers  have 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  being  preyed  upon  in  some  man- 
ner by  desperadoes,  rowdies,  black-mailers,  or  rascally  officials, 
reckless  assassins,  and  rowdies.  Those  worthies  in  the  Southern 
and  Border  States  and  territories  would  not  coolly  "bonnet"  a 
dealer  and  deprive  him  of  his  bank,  in  that  freebooter  style  so 
much  in  vogue  among  the  rowdies  of  the  North.  In  the  land  of 
chivalry  the  rights  of  property  were  generally  too  highly  respect- 
ed to  tolerate  such  bare-faced  robberies ;  but  in  some  sections, 
whore  armed  violence  had  full  sway,  it  might  not  be  safe,  at 
times,  for  a  strange- gambler  to  put  down  his  money  on  a  table. 

What  gamblers  principally  had  to  dread  from  Southern  and 
Border  State  ruffians  was  having  their  games  broken  up  by  vio- 
lence, their  valuable  patrons  driven  from  their  banks  in  conse- 
quence of  their  bets  being  stolen  from  the  lay-out,  or  gross 
abuse,  if  not  violent  assault  from  some  desperate  ruffian,  because 
unwilling  to  hand  over  to  him  their  money  at  his  mere  request. 
The  gambler  was  sometimes  not  only  forced  to  witness  such 
outrages  on  his  players,  without  power  to  protect  them,  but  that 
he  might  be  allowed  to  carry  on  his  business  was  often  compell- 
ed to  disgorge  to  the  ruffians  forced  loans.  They  frequently, 
too,  chose  his  crowded  room  as  the  arena  where  they  settled 
their  feuds ;  pulling  out  their  pistols  and  banging  away  at  each 
other  with  the  greatest  imaginable  looseness,  and  the  most  su- 
preme disregard  for  the  safety  of  the  other  inmates;  or  perhaps 
while  the  business  of  the  house  was  in  full  blast  a  band  of  these 
ruffians  would  enter  and  amuse  themselves  by  shooting  out  the 
lights,  and  otherwise  terrifying  and  molesting  the  patrons  until 
they  had  dispersbd  tliem. 

Peaceable  citizens  would  naturally  bo  deterred  from  visiting  a 
place  where  such  scenes  were  constantly  transpiring,  and  the 
efforts  of  the  owner  to  protect  his  game,  had  he  the  temerity  to 
make  any,  would  place  his  life  in  constant  jeopardy. 

In  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  aud  many  other  Northern 
cities,  the  gambler  having  the  temerity  to  open  his  bank  without 


888 


■V7ANDEBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


securing  the  protection  of  some  rowdy  leader,  was  almost  sure  to 
be  robbed.    Should  bo  set  up  bis  bauli  ou  Auu  street,  the  Bow- 
ery Chatham,  or  Barclay  Streets,  aud  all  persons  be  privileged 
to  plvy  at  it,  he  might  count  himself  fortunate  if  one  day's  grace 
was  allowed  him  without  having  a  blanket  twisted  over  his  bead 
and  his  person  relieved  of  whatever  valuables  he  carried  upon 
it     Should  his  ambition  soar  above  such  mediocre  places,  and 
induce  him  to  flt  up  a  respectable  room  and  open  a  bank  m  it  for 
select  players  only,  the  rowdies  would  makp  a  descent  on  him, 
break  down  his  door,  run  all  the  players  out  of  the  place,  and 
steal  overythiug  they  could  lay  hands  on,  and  whatever  they 
could  not  caiTy  off  they  maliciously  destroyed.    While  strangers 
were  suffering  all  the  indignities  described,  a  dozen  or  more 
banks  in  the  city  carried  on  their  business  without  fear  of  mo- 
lestation.   Their  dealers  were  neither  "bonneted"  nor  robbed, 
nor  in  any  respect  disturbed  at  their  business.    The  police  nor 
the  rowdies  dared  raid  them,  because  they  were  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  rowdy  chiefs. 

Many  gamblers  are  still  living  who  remember  the  establish- 
ment at  No.  10  Ann  Street,  the  famous  "Tapis  Franc."    The 
front  room,  which  was  on  the  ground  floor,  contained  a  bar,  on 
the   English  ale-house  plan.     Immediately  hchind   this  was 
another  long  narrow  room,  where  various  games  of  chance  vrere 
played,  such  as  chuck,  roulette,  twenty-ono,  and  faro.     The 
patrons  of  this  house  were  from  almost  every  grade  of  society- 
merchants,  bankers  and  lawyers,  came  here  to  solace  their  lei- 
sure hours  by  a  combat  with  the  "tiger,"  as  well  as  city  politi- 
cians of  every  grade,  from  the  alderman  to  the  pot-house  spout- 
er     Garroters,  pickpockets,  and  slavers  frequented  the  place- 
all*  were  welcome,  so  long  as  they  came  with  money  in  their 
Imnds.    The  ill-gotten  gains  of  the  footpad  were  as  welcome  to 
the  proprietors  of  the  "Tapis  Franc"  as  the  revenue  of  the 
millionaire,  provided  one  bet  as  freely  as  the  other.    But  if  any 
of  the  roughs  frequenting  the  house  conceived  the  idea  that  tney 
could  grab  any  of  the  banks  by  "bonneting"  the  dealers,  or 
breaking  up  by  violence  the  games,  they  soon  received  strong 
demonstration  of  their  error,  for  the  piopiietors  were  complete 
masters  of  the  logic  of  the  "knock-down  and  drag-out'   ar- 
gument, and  if  overpowered  by  numbers,  or  any  way  over- 
matched, a  single  cry  of  "  Police ! "  brought  a  detachment  ofblue- 
coated  city  guardians  to  the  rescue. 


OND. 

r,  was  almost  sure  to 
uu  street,  the  liow- 
ursons  be  privileged 
ate  ifouo  day's  grace 
twisted  over  bis  bead 
»lc3  be  carried  upon 
aodiocre  places,  aud 
open  a  bank  in  it  for 
ip  a  descent  on  bim, 
lut  of  the  place,  and 
I,  and  wbatcver  they 
ed.    While  strangers 
3d,  a  dozen  or  more 
3  without  fear  of  mo- 
•nneted"  nor  robbed, 
iiess.    The  police  nor 
r  were  under  the  pro- 

aember  the  establlsh- 
'  Tapis  Franc."  The 
r,  contained  a  bar,  on 
ely  behind  this  was 
games  of  chance  were 
•one,  and  faro.  The 
ery  grade  of  society— 
ere  to  solace  their  Id- 
as well  as  city  politi- 
)  the  pot-house  spout- 
requented  the  place— 
with  money  in  their 
id  were  as  welcome  to 
as  the  revenue  of  the 
the  other.  But  if  any 
ved  the  idea  that  they 
jting"  the  dealers,  or 
f  soon  received  strong 
piictors  were  complete 
ivn  and  drag-out"  ar- 
rs,  or  any  way  over- 
it  a  detachment  ofblue- 


FEBSECUTIOK. 


3S3 


No.  98  Barclay  Street  was  another  resort  of  the  roughs  to  play 
at  faro.  The  banks  here  were  generally  snaps,  and  the  com- 
pany of  the  most  abandoned  and  turbulent  description.  But 
they  would  not  rob  each  other  of  their  bank  money;  the  old 
adage  which  enjoins  "honor  among  thieves"  was  In  force  to 
that  extent  among  them.  A  captain  of  police  would  as  soontoke 
his  men  into  the  heart  of  the  Comanche  nation,  when  all  the 
warriors  were  on  the  "war-path"  to  avenge  some  ii\jury  done 
them  by  the  whites,  and  attempt  to  capture  their  chief,  as  to 
enter  98  Barclay  Street  and  arrest  one  of  its  patrons.  No  gamb- 
ler having  any  respect  for  his  money,  if  knowing  the  character 
of  the  place,  would  dream  of  opening  a  bank  there,  though  there 
was  plenty  of  money  among  the  crowd  who  frequented  it.  It  is 
related  that  eight  dealers  were  successively  blanketed  and  rob- 
bed there  of  their  money  and  other  valuables. 

At  that  time  it  waa  simply  impossible  for  any  gambler  to  con- 
duct a  game  in  New  York  city,  without  the  countenance  and 
protection  of  some  rowdy  leader.    Gamblers  have  repeatedly 
arrived  here,  from  the  Ea«t,  South,  and  West,  bringing  with 
them  plenty  of  funds,  and  invested  them  in  fitting  up  houses, 
where  they  desired  to  entertain  a  less  dangerous  and  objection- 
able class  of  customers,  and  to  do  so  in  a  more  agreeable  and  re- 
fined manner  than  they  had  previously  been  received  in  erih 
places ;  but  the  moment  the  roughs  learned  that  they  were  to 
be  excluded,  they  burst  open  the  doors,  rushed  in  upon  the  par* 
ties,  and  stole  or  destroyed  everything  of  the  slightest  value 
they  could  lay  their  hands  on.    During  these  raids,  the  proprie- 
tors and  their  patrons  might  consider  themselves  indeed  fortu- 
nate, did  they  escape  to  the  street  with  unbroken  bones  and  a 
whole  skin.     On  the  day  following  one  of  these  ra.ds,  a  leading 
rough  would  call  on  the  despoiled  gambler,  and  condole  with 
him  OP.  the  rough  usage  he  had  received,  and  advise  him  to  give 
his  friend  "Larry  Reilly,"  or  some  other  Hibernian  appellation 
equally  euphonious,  an  interest  in  his  game.     "  A  d— n  dacent 
fellow.     None  o'  the  blaggards  '11  come  snakin'  round  where 
Larry  is.    They've  tasted  his  mutton  too  often  for  that,  an  be 
the  same  token  he's  a  gintleman  iveryinch  av  'im  sure;  bs  knows 
»11  the  valuable  players  here,  an'  they  like  him  too.    Take  hhn 
b  wid  ye's;  he'll  make  yer  fortin  fur  ye." 
The  gambler,  having  abeady  gone  to  considerable  expense, 


I 


S4  WAXTDWIISQB  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

feels  that  he  cannot  afford  to  abandon  the  ^nWise,  If  he  catt 
ZSie  protection  enough  to  secure  him  aS*""'/    ^iSl^ 
fu^re,  Z  he  consents  to  give  "the  dacent  man  I^r'-y  ««'"['" 
an  interest  hi  his  game,  without  his  -iskinga  sing.e  cent  in  it 
himself.    Larry,  who  belongs  to  a  political  nng,  hm.  gamed  Ida 
plr  TwMhe  pot.  np  the  job  to  have  the  house  ra ded,  sue- 
Sed,and  isno^^  du^  installed  as  one  of  its  PropnotJ  and 
Jtoprot^ctor.    Ho  has  probably  just  sufficient  knowledge  of  gam- 
bllJg  U>  play  a  game  of  euchre  or  romps  for  "  drinks  all  round" 
Kmt  SJ-mUl;  but  among  the  roughs  he  i^  a  "power^u  ,  and 
when  he  "  opes  his  lips  no  dog  must  bark."    Let  him  ^^  t  nuse 
his  finger,  aM^the  most  turbulrnt  among  them  Is  reduced  o  In- 
.taut  Ldience.    Should  any  person  t^?  ^.^^^^^r^' '  f^^r 
during  his  connection  with  it,  he  wiU  get  his  head  "  ma»aed"  for 

^Al^^the  thne  of  the  breaktag  out  of  our  civil  war,  the  rougha 
of  New  York  were  begtaniag  to  learn  that  even  a  ganibhng. 
ZZ  was  entitled  to  legal  protection.  A  Mr.  WiUlam  Mulhgan, 
dSt,  desperado,  boxer  and  bruiser,  the  hero  of  ttiree  duete. 
Zi  a  doze'street  fights,  and  rmg  and  bar-room  fighte  Innu- 
merable, betag  expatriated  flrom  Callfomla  by  the  Vigilance 
Commltiee  of  San  Francisco,  found,  after  an  absence  of  many 
years,  "his  foot  upon  his  native  heath"  in  the  city  of  New 
York     Whether  muscle,  steel,  or  lead,  were  brought  into  play, 
BUly  MuUlgan  was  found  to  be  rather  an  unpleasant  customer 
tostagger  ^against.     On  his  arrival  in  New  York,  he  was  re- 
celved  with  open  arms  and  demonstrations  of  much  joy,  by  the 
great  unwashed ;  and  why  not  f    Was  he  not  the  hero  of  fifty 
SSle»-the  victor  on  many  a  hard-fought  fiold-a  leader  of 
political  rowdyism  In  Callfomla-a  bold  and  fearief  >  wpo^nder 
of  its  opinions*  and  was  he  not  at  that  moment  a  iL^rtyr  to  the 
caosef   Favors  and  money  were  showered  on  the  redoubtable 
Billy  by  his  admirers,  nor  did  It  for  a  moment  cross  his  mind 
that  he  was  violating  any  mora!  or  social  duty  in  accepting 
everything  that  was  offered  him.    He  had  a  strong  appreciation 
of  the  luxuries  and  pleasures  of  life,  and  among  other  things  was 
prone  to  enter  Into  tussles  with  the  tiger.  In  which  that  decep- 
tive animal  pretty  generally  came  off  the  victor.    Few  things  In 
life  dulls  the  enthusiasm  of  friends  so  quickly  as  the  borrowing 
of  money  and  neglecting  to  pay  it,     Mulligan's  admirers  began 


m. 

iterprise,  If  he  caa 
ainst  Buch  laids  In 
lan,  Larry  Reilly," 
a  singie  cent  ia  it 
,ng,  hai»  gained  liia 
house  raided,  suo- 
itB  proprietors  and 
knowledge  of  gam- 
'  drinks  all  round" 
is  all-powerful,  and 
Let  him  but  raise 
im  is  reduced  to  in- 
lack-mail  ♦I'O  h0U89 

head  "  maoued"  for 

slvilwar,  the  roughs 
I;  even  a  gambling- 
>.  William  Mulligan, 
lero  of  three  duels, 
r-room  fights  inna- 
i  by  the  Vigilance 
an  absence  of  many 
in  the  city  of  New 
Q  brought  into  play, 
unpleasant  customer 
ew  York;  he  was  re- 
of  much  joy,  by  the 
not  the  hero  of  fifty 
it  field — »  leader  of 
ifearler^  expounder 
ment  a  iL  ^rtyr  to  the 
i  on  the  redoubtable 
ment  cross  his  mind 
1  duty  in  accepting 
»  strong  appreciation 
long  other  things  was 
in  which  that  decep- 
ictor.    Few  things*  In 
kly  as  the  borrowing 
jan's  admirers  began 


pXBSXCU'riU5. 

to  make  up  their  minds  that  he  was  too  expensive  a  luxury  to 
be  extensively  indulg-d  In,  consequently  withdrew  themselvee 
in  a  great  measure  from  his  society.  His  popularity  was  on  the 
wane.  Those  wLom  ho  owed,  to  escape  lending  him  more,  avoided 
Urn-  Keepors  of  gambling-houses  had  loaned  him  money  from 
a  sense  of  liear,  in  order  to  deter  him  from  creating  a  disturb- 
ance in  their  houses ;  and  when  bis  sources  of  revenue  from  the 
outside  were  diminished,  he  confined  his  predatory  onslaughts 
to  their  customers,  whom  they  had  to  stand  calmly  by  and  see 
mulcted  in  forced  loans,  without  daring  o  make  the  slightest 
remonstrance.  The  redoubtable  Billy,  meating  one  of  his  ac- 
quaintances before  a  faro-table  with  five  or  six  hundred  dol- 
lars' worth  of  chips,  would  demand  a  loan  of  one  or  two  hundred 
dollars'  worth  of  them,  which  was  pretty  generally  granted  by 
the  player,  sootier  than  expose  himself  to  hip  enmity,  which  he 
would  surely  gain,  should  be  refuse ;  not  to  mention,  as  often 
happened,  abuse  and  brutal  violence.  This  man  finally  became 
so  obnoxious  to  faro-playem,  that  his  appearance  in  a  gambling- 
house  was  sufficient  to  cause  the  players  to  pass  in.  their  checks, 
get  the  money  for  them,  and  precipitately  leave  the  place. 

The  career  of  Mr.  Mulligan  was  finally  brought  to  an  abrupt 
olosc^by  one  of  those  redoubtable  guardians  of  gambling-houses, 
described  in  a  former  chapter,  and  who  wivs  as  well  a  prominent 
ward  politician.  In  the  establishment  676  Broadway,  where  this 
chief  reigned,  Mr.  Mulligan  had  exploited  in  his  usual  engaging 
manner  several  times,  and  was  finally  plainly  informed  by  its 
guardian  that  they  did  not  keep  a  loan-office,  and  would  no 
longer  submit  to  have  their  patrons  driven  away  in  consequence 
of  his  practices  upon  them.  When  a  bully  falters,  he  is  lost. 
Mulligan  retorted  upon  the  chief  with  some  choice  language  pe- 
culiar to  his  tongue,  which,  by  the  way,  was  &6  potent  in  its  sphere 
as  his  muscular  arms  and  sledge-hammer  fists  were  in  theirs. 
That  worthy  retorted  upon  Mulligan  by  stepping  to  the  door, 
calling  a  policeman,  and  desiring  him  to  take  that  gentleman 
out  of  the  house ;  but  he  prevented  the  officer  from  executing 
the  order,  by  presenting  at  his  head  a  loaded  pistol.  He  ran  to 
the  door  and  rapped  for  assistance,  and  Mr.  Mulligan  was  in- 
glorionsly  marched  to  the  lock-up.  His  case  was  sent  before  the 
criminal  court ;  but  In  the  meantime  he  procured  bail,  and  al- 
thoogh  repeatedly  advised  to  forfeit  it  by  his  sureties,  he  obsti- 


I 

I*  it  t\' 

m 


gOe  WAUDBWNOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

uw     It  was  at^e  time,  and  has  ever  since  been  the  prevail- 
revenge  upon  W°>.  ^f  °  J«  is  ver?  Uttte  doubt  that  he  owed 

S.°  1?C  -.heir  'i8l't'»«="l»I«^!«"r  "rZl^lS 
ELrs,  iflthoit  to  least  .pprehenBloni.  on  to  Kow  ol 

JSt^ton.™.y..2r•.iTL?p4^^^^-^^ 


£i0' 


ft 


at  none  would  dare 
ulUgan.    'f  Qe  trial 
a  Sing  9ing  at  hard 
!e  been  the  prevail- 
,he  result  of  a  con- 
lion  is  the  fact  tliat, 
B  was  released  on  a 
(spirits  had  aroused 
wei«  many  powerful 
uity  to  wreak  their 
himself  within  the 
doubt  that  he  owed 
known  to  tho  legal 
an  obnoxious  person 

ry  salutary  effect  on 
wed  them  that  they 
iling-house,  rob,  and 
off  scot-free  without 
» taught  the  proprie- 
man  to  remove  from 
rderly,  or  otherwise 
nmates,  without  the 
fore  a  police  justice, 
From  the  time  of 
ceased  their  raids  on 
now  shut  their  doors 
hysters,  and    check- 
ins  on  the   score   of 

years  been  under  the 
that  time  no  gambler 
it  propitiate  the  favor 
rowdy  leader.  Should 
do  SO;  he  will  become' 
tionist  of  like  feather 
will  be  staked  to  play 
t  should  they  lose,  they 
pped  against  the  bank. 
s  any  other  despicable 


PBRSBCUTIOir. 


327 


advantage,  and  should  he  chance  to  be  a  person  who  will  stand 
no  such  nonsense,  and  offers  to  make  any  resistance,  no  matter 
how  slight,  they  will  break  up  his  gamo,  and  pitch  himself  and 
gambling  paraphernalia  out  of  the  window.  A  rough  place  on 
strange  faro-dealers  is  Pbiladelpliia.  Should  one  liavo  the  te- 
merity to  apply  to  a  magistrate  for'redress  or  protection,  he  will 
be  immediately  consigned  to  tho  Moyamensing  prison  for  twelve 
mouths,  by  the  outraged  ms^esty  of  the  law,  for  dealing  faro. 

Tho  resident  gamblers  of  the  place  all  spring  from  and  be- 
long to  the  rowdy  element,  and  are  of  the  most  despicable 
order,  and  so  cowardly  that  a  faro-bank  of  a  $50  limit  is  fre- 
quently banked  by  a  dozen  of  them.  They  are  constantly 
wrangling  among  themselves,  and  meanly  jealous  of  each  other's 
success ;  but  let  a  strange  gambler  arrive  in  the  place  and  open 
a  bank,  they  will  unite  almost  to  a  man,  to  rob  him,  and  should 
they  fail  in  accomplishing  their  purpose,  will  employ  rouglis  to 
break  up  his  game,  and  if  he  has  not  secured  the  favor  and  pro- 
tection of  one  of  the  rowdy  leaders,  he  is  fortunate  indeed  if  he 
escapes  from  the  place  with  a  dollar  in  his  pocket,  or  an  un- 
broken bone  in  his  sldn.  In  order  to  obtain  this  protection,  he 
must  give  up  at  least  ton  per  cent,  of  his  game ;  many  strange 
gamblers  have,  at  various  times,  secured  this  protection,  and 
been  free,  in  consequence,  from  descents  from  the  ruffians  and 
the  extortionists  and  black-mailers  who  follow  in  their  train. 
Such  skinning-houses  as  exist  there,  both  first  and  second  class, 
are  under  the  special  protection  of  the  rowdy  leaders,  and  are 
mulcted  in  ten  or  twenty  per  cent,  of  their  profits,  as  the  price 
of  such  shelter.  Several  Judges  and  District  Attorneys  have  at 
various  times  tried  to  break  up  all  the  gambling-houses  in  the 
city,  but  have  invariably  found,  in  the  end,  that  the  rowdy  ele- 
ment was  too  strong  for  them. 

No  class,  on  an  average,  has  produced  braver  men,  or  more  of 
them  in  proportion  to  its  number,  than  the  gambling  commu- 
nity ;  still,  as  all  its  members  are  by  no  means  so,  and  where  one 
is  daring,  ten  are  mild  and  peaceable,  and  as  it  often  happens 
the  bravest  cannot  protect  themselves,  in  such  cases  they  must 
rely  on  the  expedients  devised  by  a  fertile  brain  for  protection. 
The  gambler,  in  days  now  gone  by,  was  compelled  to  have  a 
protector,  and  it  often  happened  nouj  was  more  efficient  or 
mc  e  useful  thai  the  man  who  h.Kl  killed  one  or  more  persons  in 


sfeM-iftefciif^SW^ 


328  WANDEMNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

^  f  flaht  or  duel  or  had  established  hla  reputation  in  • 
;  rtt  rin«  or  tSe  chivalrous  Individual  who  had  cover^ 
Jl'^^lrwltWorv  by  bvass-knuckllng  a  score  or  so  of  persons  at 
himself  with  e^^lJ'l^'r:^^  fight ;  or  the  western  gentleman, 
an  election  ™'^';;  .'*„^^[-7dlthte8;  name  by  "gouging  out"  » 
^ho  had  ^o'^  f ^^^^^[4T^  vanous  frolics,  not  to  mention 
dozen  or  so  of  eyes  «"""»"  ,     overflow  of  his  sp  rlts. 

p.e.nt  admlrab^^B^^^^^^^^^  --  "^4  'Sl^ 

young  bloods  were  ^f^  Theatres,  circuses,  and  public 
or  desperado,  as  a  P[°*«J"°"'  .^„„„  to  preserve  order,  and 
balls,  had  theh-  bullies  In  J^f  J°;«i  *„„?,  serviceable  than 
one  of  these  was  In  ^"f  ^^f"  .7"  The  presence  of  the  lat- 
half  a  <io-- «fJ^£rol5ec  Tit  J^  for  a  party  of  young 
^'•■'iL  but  t^e  a^amnce  on  the  scene,  of  a  noted  desperado 
rS,  wout  sXTwholesome  terror  to  the  hearts  of  such 

lawless  characters.  protection  from  the  law,  he  w 

^ff  ^"'"vii?  Wmselfwi^  SeTexrb^t  thtag  obtainable, 
lK)und  to  provide  '\™^7,''*V' *"^^^^  on  the  desperado  or 

as  well  as  ™*°y  °J"  ^^j^gre  law  and  police  were  myths,  no 
togs,  also  in  locaj'tles  ^^e™  protected  by  some  des- 

gambler  could  carry ^hm  S^"^^^^^^    V  ^.      ^^  who 

perado,  who  was  '^^Pf  ^^L  tS  tZl  So  distance  between 
tosplred  in  their  n^'^^*  desire  to^^P  a  i^^er-mimed 

hta^^unchof  flves^and^be^^^^^^^     than  any  emissary  of 
classes  feared  a  first-class  oruw*  gamblers  fell 

the  law,  ««PP««;°f  "^;^„^:rrppSrtSn^^^^  In  those 

SJ^irrgS':'  Srh^'Be'Svlllzedlys,  It  was  custom. 
^tJSra^t  gamblers  to  have  traveling  a^^^ys J^th  them 
Sie  noted  bruiser  or  pugilist,  and  the  custom  was  not  entirely 
abandoned  until  since  the  clostag  of  our  civil  war. 
"^rlave  mentioned  that  the  law  offered  no  P'-^**;*^^^^ 
to  the  gambler;  in  fact,  in  many  places  t^e  officer  of  thM^ 

were  hta  most  persistent  and  ^'*t  tSeStSst  wlfl^t^ 
every  gambler  who  set  up  his  game  in  their  midst,  as  a  »i 


;;sg(sas^®»aw?3S3sa»#yfe*»" 


reputation  In  • 
rho  had  covered 
tr  so  of  persons  at 
jstern  goutlemani 
"gouging  out"* 
s,  not  to  mention 
low  of  his  spirits. 
4e  serviceable  as 
auguratlng  of  our 
days  many  of  our 
some  noted  bully 
reuses,  and  public 
reserve  order,  and 
)  serviceable  than 
presence  of  the  lat- 
r  a  party  of  young 
a  noted  desperado 
the  hearts  of  such 

om  the  law,  he  w 
t  thing  obtainable, 
»n  the  desperado  or 
courses,  or  at  fairs, 
ivere  public  gather- 
lice  were  myths,  no 
tected  by  some  des- 
id  rowdies,  and  who 
ifo  distance  between 
i  these  latter-named 
Ian  any  emissary  of 
,  the  gamblers  fell 
protection.    In  those 
days,  it  was  custom- 
Qg  always  with  them 
jtom  was  not  entirely 
rii  war. 

)  protection  whatever 
be  officers  of  the  law 
jmies.  They  viewed 
ir  midst,  as  a  Hit  sub- 


.  PBRSBCTTTIOir.  Mi 

Jeot  to  be  plucked  by  them,  without  the  slightest  compunctions 
of  consciouce,  or  any  fear  of  cundomnation  from  the  community 
or  censure  iVom  the  public  generally.  The  very  laws  which  had 
been  framed  In  many  of  the  States,  to  prevent  gambling,  wero 
used  by  the  rascally  officials  to  black-mail  gamblers.  For  In- 
stance: In  Texas,  where  the  fines  for  dealing  banking-games 
range  from  $23  to  $100,  the  amount  to  be  fixer!  by  the  dlscro'- 
tlon  of  the  courts.  In  proportion  to  the  enormity  of  the  offense, 
the  District  Attorney  accumulates  against  a  gambler  as  many 
iu(!  (.ments  as  he  possibly  can,  and  then  offers  to  quash  them 
f<  a  certain  sum  of  money.  This  cash.  It  Is  unnecessary  to  say 
he  pockets.  In  precisely  the  same  manner  does  the  District  A 
tomey  of  Kentucky  operate  against  gamblers  who  have  in- 
fringed the  gambling  laws  of  the  State,  which  provide  that,  for 
dealing  any  banking-game  of  chance,  the  person  so  doing  shall 
be  fined  for  each  and  every  offense,  $500,  no  more  nor  no  less. 
Half  this  sum  goes  Into  the  pocket  of  the  informer,  $135  to  the 
school- fund,  and  $125  to  the  prosecuting  attorney.  But  these 
gentry  have  generally  looked  sharply  after  their  own  pockets, 
and  carried  on  their  own  "little  game"  under  the  rose.  It  was 
no  uncommon  thing  for  a  District  Attorney  to  permit  a  gambler 
to  open  and  run  a  faro-bank,  and  to  suffer  none  to  molest  him, 
and  when  he  was  about  to  quit  the  place,  pass  In  to  him  his 
little  bill,  drawn  up  in  accordance  with  the  sum  which  the  bank 
had  won  since  playing  in  the  town.  If  it  had  won  nothing,  his 
bill  for  non-intervention  would  be  $125.  Should  he  be  inform- 
ed that  the  bank  had  won  $2000,  his  demand  against  the  banker 
would  probably  reach  as  high  as  $500.  The  latter  could,  if  he 
desired,  leave  the  place  before  a  bill  had  been  found  against 
him  by  the  grand  jury,  but  should  he  ever  venture  again  within 
the  limits  of  the  State,  the  District  Attorney  would  make  him 
pay  his  little  bill,  or  leave  him  In  jail  at  two  dollars  per  day, 
until  the  amount  of  his  fine  had  been  paid.  This  wretched 
clause  was,  in  1862,  expunged  from  the  law,  and  those  portions 
of  the  fines  formerly  given  to  the  informer,  now  reverted  to  the 
State.  But  the  Attorney's  fine  still  stands,  and  the  cases  are 
few  indeed,  where  a  gambler  is  allowed  to  slip  away  teom  a 
place  until  I  -  has  "planked  down  the  dust"  required  by  this 
gentleman.  The  present  District  Attorney  of  Louisville  realizes 
yearly  firom  $12,000  to  $15,000  firom  gambling-bouses  in  that 


T 


WAiroilMMGB  OF  A.  Vi-GABOHD. 


«if„    Fflrh  houBe  18  taxed  by  him  according  to  the  ifoney  » 
mLn^l  by  Wm  supposed  to  make.   This  Is  accomplUbed  by 
^oStlnra  certain  number  of  indictments  against  each  house, 
JSersondrnrsol^Sratoly  for  the  proprietors,  and  presenting 
hem  Ih  his  S    After  coualdorable  haggling,  the.  man  of 
}aw  and  the  gambler  agree  upon  a  price,  wh.ch  glvea  to  the  lat- 
ter another  year's  respite.  j„r^„-i  nn  ter- 
In  New  York,  the  District  Attorneys  had  to  depend  on  ter 
rorism.  In  orde^  to  extract  money  from  the  gamble«.    Two 
laws  were  on  the  statute  books,  and  "^^^^S^'^f-Jj^^^J^^^^^^ 
The  oldest  was  a  fine  of  $50  for  playing  or  dealing  any  bankmg 
game  of  c^^^^^^  and  subsequently,  in  1851  a  law  was  enacted 
mokinff  the  dea  Ing  of  any  such  game  a  felony,  punishable  by  a 
TsSion  oFflv °?ear8  in  the  Site's  prison.    This  law.  though 
TcSd  not  be  enforced,  juries  refusing  to  convict  under  It^^ad- 
mlrabW  answered  the  purposes  of  black-maillng  lawyers,  ^en- 
?ve?  a  gambler,  having  strong  political  Influence,  was  tried  for 

Ta  ing'a  game  of  chance,  he  was  "^"^""'"Jild  tat  So 
old  law    which   m  such  cases  made  and   provided  that  ho 
Bheuld  be  fined  $50.    But  should  the  culprit  be  a  st Wr,  or  a 
person  of  little  or  no  influence,  and  a  fat  subject  for  plucktag, 
?hev  were  forced  to  disgorge  under  the  new  law.  which  threat- 
SXm  wUh  the  State's  prison.    This  was  generally  accom- 
Tshed  b"  ;jLlg  the  ^rlod  of  their  trial,  l^eeP'^g  ^J^J 
Cm  one  term  to  another,  and  from  court  to  court,  until  the 
Sm  was  satisfied  to  pay  several  hundreds,  in  order  to  close  up 
The  v^ItTous  business,  and  be  rid  at  once  of  his  anxiety  and  sua- 
pense.    About  ten  years  since  a  few  g^""?  «"  ^f  .^^^^  ^°;'', 
citv  forced  the  courts  to  decide  under  which  of  theso  laws 
JamWers  must  be  convicted.    This  was  done  by  several  gam- 
K  who  were  Indicted  In  different  courts  standing  thexr  trials, 
and  being  all  convicted  mider  the  $50  fine  law,  thus  estab- 
Sng  a  precedent.    But  I  need  scarcely  inform  the  reader 
tha  those  heroic  gentlemen,  who  sacrificed  themselves  to    est 
Sn  Hoverelsnty  of  the  two  laws,  were  made  aware  of  the  fate 
licTIwS  them,  before  the  coming  off  of  their  trials.    But 
Tfa  few  District  Attorneys  maybe  fo«nd»n8crupulous  enough 
to  black-mall  gamblers  by  perverting  tbe  laws  of  t^e  State 
happily,  there  are  many  who  are  ™«ch  too  high -inindedto^ 
3  t^  such  miworthy  artifices  in  order  to  enrich  themselves. 


STD. 

g  to  the  ironey  It 
1b  accomplished  by 
igalnst  each  house, 
rs,  and  presenting 
fgling,  the  maa  of 
ch  gives  to  the  lat- 

to  depend  on  ter- 
le  gamblers.  Two 
nlzed  in  the  State, 
leallng  any  banking 

a  law  was  enacted, 
)ny,  punishable  by  a 
.    This  law,  though 
convict  under  it,  ad- 
Ing  lawyers.  When- 
luenco,  was  tried  for 
convicted  under  the 
I   provided  that  he 
,t  be  a  stranger,  or  a 
subject  for  pluckUig, 
w  law,  which  threat- 
ras  generally  accom- 
trial,  keeping  it  over 
■t  to  court,  until  the 
8,  in  order  to  close  up 
f  his  anxiety  and  sus- 
mblers  of  New  York 
which  of  theso  laws 
lone  by  several  gam- 
,  standing  their  trials, 
ane  law,  thus  estab- 
ly  inform  the  reader 
ed  themselves  to  test 
jde  aware  of  the  fate 
,ff  of  their  trials.    But 

unscrupulous  enough 
he  laws  of  the  State, 
)o  high-minded  to  doi 
p  to  enrich  themselves. 


rnxsKcnnoK. 

Most  of  these  gentlemen,  especially  in  our  large  cities,  leave  the 
gamblers  entirely  unmolested,  and  the  howls  raised  nRainat  them 
on  that  account,  by  some  of  the  ultra  moral  press,  are  unjust,  be- 
cause a  jury  cculd  scarcely  bo  empaneled  who  would  convict 
under  the  harsh  laws  on  the  statute  books  of  some  of  the  States. 
In  two  of  our  large  cities,  Baltimore  and  New  Orleans,  gambling 
is  regulated  by  the  police  department,  but  is  never  interfered 
wl'h,  because  they  levy  on  each  house  a  certain  tax  for  the  sup- 
port of  their  political  power.  In  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  the 
gambling-houses  are  raided  at  the  caprice  of  the  Chiefs  of  Police, 
and  their  gambling  paraphernalia  confiscated.  In  neither  of 
those  States  is  there  any  law  to  Justify  such  high-handed  pro- 
ceedings, except  the  law  of  might.  Repeatedly  have  ail  the 
square  gambling-houses  of  Chicago  been  closed  by  the  so-called 
"authority"  of  the  Chief  of  Police,  while  as  man^  .*s  two  or  three 
sklnning-houses  carried  on  their  business  full  blast,  liavlng  lib- 
erally "palmed"  that  worthy  for  his  grace  towards  them,  while 
the  "square"  houses,  being  unable  to  act  In  like  mannci,  were 
closed.  Between  the  yars  1836  and  1859,  four  sharpers  were 
allowed  to  keep  open  their  gorgeous  establishment,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  all  others.  George  Trussell,  one  of  the  partners  in  this 
firm,  was  a  shrewd,  cunning  Yankee  from  Vermont,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  secret  police.  Every  gambler  setting  up  a  game  in 
the  city,  he  had  arrested,  lmpri8oned>  and  mulcted  In  heavy 
fines,  besides  causing  their  gambling  tools  to  be  confiscated. 
This  fellow  had  full  sway  over  the  gambling  privilege  of  the 
city,  which  his  compeers  and  himself  turned  Into  a  stealing 
privilege,  for  which  they  feed  the  accommodating  police  most 
munificently.  The  career  of  this  worthy  was  finally  brought  to 
an  abrupt  close  by  a  pistol  in  the  hands  of  his  mistress.  The 
woman,  of  whom  he  had  begun  to  tire,  sent  for  him  to  come  to 
her;  he  refused  to  do  so,  sending  back  by  the  messenger,  who 
was  the  trainer  of  the  trotting  horse  Dexter,  of  which  he  was 
part  owner,  an  insulting  message.  The  woman,  who  was  par- 
tially drunk,  entered  a  carriage  and  was  driven  to  a  drlu^lng- 
saloon,  where  she  knew  Trussell  was,  and  again  sent  in  the  mes- 
senger, whom  she  had  retained  with  her.  He  replied  by  an 
oath.  The  messenger  then  tried  to  dissuade  her  fi-om  drying 
further,  and  to  Induce  her  to  return  home.  She  wou:.l  not 
listen,  but  got  down  from  the  carriage,  and,  without  saying 


338  WANDBRINGS  OI"  A  VAGABOND. 

another  word,  flred  three  shots  at  him  from  a  revolver,  which  all 
took  effect.  Ho  died  In  a  few  moments.  When  the  woman 
found  she  had  killed  him,  she  gave  way  to  the  most  frantic 
S  and  ravings.  She  was  arrested,  tried,  and,  on  account  of 
fxtenuatmg  clrLmstances,  received  a  very  light  sonteuco,  one 
JJar  in  the  penitentiary,  I  believe.    At  her  discharge,  she  left 

Chicago  and  went  to  California.  „„„^a 

After  the  death  of  Trusscll,  the  power  of  the  sharpers  waned, 
and  squai-e  faro-banks  were  once  more  opened  '«  h«  °  J;    »"^ 
should  one  of  them  neglect  the  ceremony  of  roundly  palming  the 
CWef  of  Police,  or  should  his  agents  fall  In  obtaining  for  him  an 
Serest  In  some  well-to-do  game,  he  Is   ^niedlately  seized, 
suddenlv,  with  a  virtuous  zeal  to  put  down  «a«'Wlng^  the  good 
dty  of  Chicago,  by  the  closing  of  all  gaming  establishments, 
fZabe^,  who  do  not  pay  tribute  to  him).    This  mode  of  pro- 
cwdlng  was  for  a  long  time  fashionable  in  many  of  our  other 
Ze?  eZ.    A  Police*  Captain,  If  not  satisfactorily  "palmed  " 
would  make  a  descent  on  a  gambling  establishment,  seize  all  Its 
inmates  and  the  gaming  appurtenances,  and  take  them  to  tbe 
lock-up,  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  administer  to  the  par  es  a 
hSthT  scare,  and  a  lesson  to  all  the  gamblers  In  the  vicinity  of 
the  raided  establishment,  and  let  them  know  they  could  not 
carry  on  their  games  without  their  connivance  and  assistance. 
But  this  agreeable  style  of  doing  things  has  been  broken  up  to  a 
ffreat  extent  by  honest  Judges,  who  would  not  concede  that  a 
nolice  officer  had  a  right  to  enter  a  gambling-house  without  the 
warrant  of  a  magistrate.    These  kind  of  Judges  had,  on  several 
occasions,  to  rebuke  their  officers  for  their  unlawful  descents 
upon  gambling-houses,  before  they  could  succood  In  putting  a 
Stop  tp  such  high-handed  proceedings  In  N(  v  York.    Such  a 
thing  has  never  happened  in  Boston,  since  the  redoubtable 
Marshal  Tukey,  about  thirty  years  ago,  made  such  a  descent, 
and  captured  all  the  Inmates,  some  forty  In  all,  whom  he  hand- 
cuffed, and  marched  in  pairs  to  the  lock-up.    New  England, 
with  all  her  sins  on  the  head  of  ultra  Puritanism,  has  persecuted 
gamblers  less  than  any  other  States  In  the  Union,  if  we  may 
except  the  single  one  of  Arkansas. 

Of  the  many  cunning  devices  put  into  execution  by  officers  of 
the  law,  in  order  to  extract  money  from  gamblers,  the  following, 
which  happened  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  between  the  years  1856 


i 


revolver,  which  all 
When  the  wonmn 

0  the  most  frautlo 
and,  on  account  o( 
light  sentouco,  one 
discharge,  she  left 

,he  sharpers  waned, 
ed  In  the  city.  But 
roundly  palming  the 
tbtalning  for  him  an 
Immediately  seized, 
gambling  in  the  good 
ing  establishments, 

This  mode  of  pro- 
i  many  of  our  other 
afactorily  "  palmed," 
Ishment,  seize  all  its 
id  take  them  to  the 
isler  to  the  parties  a 
ors  in  the  vicinity  of 
now  they  could  not 
ance  and  assistance. 
,  been  broken  up  to  a 
d  not  concede  that  a 
ig-house  without  the 
idges  had,  on  several 
lir  unlawful  descents 
Buccood  in  putting  a 

N(;.v  York.  Such  a 
Ince  the  redoubtable 
nade  such  a  descent, 

1  all,  whom  he  hand- 
k-up.  New  England, 
aniam.has  persecuted 
;he  Union,  If  we  may 

ixeoutlon  by  officers  of 
imblers,  the  following, 
between  the  years  1836 


PBRSECUTXON. 


333 


and  18.W,  caps  the  climax.  Brewster  and  Gilmore,  two  de- 
tectivcfl  of  that  city,  saw  In  the  gambling  laws,  if  properly 
manipulated,  a  small  fortune  for  themselves;  but  In  order  to 
avail  thenisolvos  of  all  the  advantage.'!  connected  therewith,  it 
was  necessary  that  a  magistrate  sliould  '•  Rtund  in"  with  thorn,'  in 
their  plans.  This  Individual  was  found,  in  tlio  pnraon  of  the 
County  Judge.  This  worthy  dignitary,  on  the  oaths  of  the  de- 
tectives mentioned,  would  icauo  warrants  of  arrest  for  such  as 
were  running  games  within  his  Jurisdiction.  Armed  with  those, 
Brewster  and  Gilmore  would  seize  their  victims  and  drag  them 
to  prison.  The  arrested  gambler  might  certainly  give  security 
and  stand  his  trial,  but  It  would  not  bettor  his  condition.  Con- 
viction was  certain  to  follow,  with  a  fine  of  $500,  which  must  be 
paid  by  the  culprit,  or  worn  out  In  the  county  jail  at  $2.00  per 
day. 

The  gambler,  on  his  arrest,  was  Informed  by  his  worthy  cap- 
tors, that,  on  the  payment  of  $500,  he  was  at  liberty  to  seek  fresh 
fields  and  pastures  new,  and  it  Is  needless  to  add  that  not  one 
in  five  hundred  refhsed  the  generous  oflbr.  '  owster  and  his 
"pal"  soon  closed  every  faro-room  in  Louisvillo ;  but,  strange  to 
say,  during  the  whole  time  they  were  so  virtuously  following  up, 
and  drivhig  (h)m  their  midst,  every  gambler  who  da'-ed  open  a 
game  in  the  city,  an  aristocratic  skinning- house  flourished  with- 
out Jet  or  hindrance. 

Strange  gamblers,  coming  to  Louisville,  and  stopping  at  the 
Gait  House,  were  allowed  by  Mr.  Raines,  at  that  time  its 
proprietor,  and  a  warm  friend  to  gamblers,  to  set  up  their  games 
in  their  sleeping-rooms.  Within  these  hallowed  precincts  the 
feet  of  Mr.  Brewster,  and  his  "  pal,"  Gilmore,  could  not  penetrate; 
much  to  their  disgust  and  chagrin.  But  they  set  their  brains  to 
work,  and  finally  hit  upon  a  plan  which  answered  their  purpose 
just  as  well.  Citizens  of  the  place,  who  were  known  votaries  of 
play,  were  invited  to  these  banks,  though  none  except  those  of 
raiquestlonable  Integrity,  and  In  whose  hgnor  and  secrecy  the 
most  Implicit  trust  could  be  placed.  Whenever  one  of  these 
transient  banks  was  playing  in  the  house,  Mr.  Raines  never 
allowed  any  of  the  servants  to  wait  on  that  room,  except  his  own 
favorite  boy,  in  whom  he  placed  the  utmost  trust  and  confidence. 
For  some  time  Brewster  and  his  "  pal"  were  at  fault,  but  not 
The  patrons  of  the  game,  returning  home  from  the  Gait 


^  'i^^aSIPiHWWW^  ■ 


i 


384 


WANDBRINOS  OF  X  VAGABOND. 


House,  were  arrested  on  the  street,  dragged  before  a  ma.'jistrate, 
and  forced,  under  oath,  to  betray  the  names  of  those  they  had 
played  against.  On  the  strength  of  this  forced  evidence,  war- 
rants wore  issued  for  the  arrest  of  the  gamblers,  and  they  were 
forced  to  hand  over  to  their  persecutors  the  requisite  $500.  For 
something  like  eighteen  months  these  cecret  arrests  were  re- 
peated at  intervals,  until  the  respectable  votaries  of  the  game 
began  to  look  on  each  other  with  distrust  and  suspicion.  Mean- 
while, about  fifty  gamblers  had  been  arrested,  and  forced  to 
disgorge  five  hundred  apiece.  It  was  evident  that  there  was, 
somewhere  in  their  midst,  a  traitor,  who,  having  recourse  to  the 
rooms  during  the  hours  of  play,  was  secretly  giving  information 
to  the  detectives.  But  no  suspicion  fell  on  the  real  culprit,  and 
piObably  i.k'  guilt  would  never  have  become  known  to  those  who 
trusted  him  so  entirely,  had  it  not  been  that  Brewster  could  not 
resist  an  opportunity  of  venting  his  spleen  on  John  Raines,  and 
showing  him  how  cunningly  he  had  outwitted  him.  Raines  had 
forbidden  him  entrance  to  the  hotel,  since  he  arreoted  gamblers 
there,  which  so  exasperated  that  worthy,  that,  in  order  to 
revenge  himself,  he  betrayed  the  poor  slave  who  had  trusted  to 
his  honor.  The  disclosure  was  not  made,  however,  until  the 
County  Judge  mentioned  had  retired  from  oflace,  his  term  having 
expired,  and  the  man  who  filled  his  place  refused  to  issue 
warrants  for  arrests  of  gamblers,  unless  on  the  voluntary  com- 
plaint of  a  citizen;  and  this  decision  had  destroyed  the  "little 
game"  of  Gilmore  and  his  companion,  and  being  no  longer  able 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  perfidy  of  Raines'  boy,  they  did  not 
for  an  instant  hesitate  to  expose  him,  for  the  sake  of  a  potty 
revenge.  The  unfortunate  slave,  whom  they  had  betrayed  after 
serving  them  so  well,  received  a  hundred  lashes  from  his  master, 
and  was  afterwards  sold  to  a  cotton  planter  hi  the  South. 


BOND. 

d  before  a  magistrate, 
les  of  those  they  had 
forced  evidence,  war- 
ablers,  and  they  were 
e  requisite  $500.  For 
icret  arrests  were  re- 
votaries  of  the  game 
md  suspicion.  Mean- 
Tested,  and  forced  to 
Ident  that  there  was, 
laving  recourse  to  the 
itly  giving  information 
a  the  real  culprit,  and 
le  linown  to  those  who 
at  Brewster  could  not 
1  on  John  Raines,  and 
;ted  him.  Raines  had 
I  he  arreoted  gamblers 
ly,  that,  in  order  to 
re  who  had  trusted  to 
le,  however,  until  the 
office,  his  term  having 
place  refused  to  issue 
an  the  voluntary  com- 
i  destroyed  the  "little 
1  being  no  longer  able 
les'  boy,  they  did  not 
)r  the  sake  of  a  petty 
iey  had  betrayed  after 
ashes  from  his  master, 
ir  in  the  South. 


2BBJUBICS8. 


335 


CHAPTER    XXVII.         ' 

PREJUDICES. 

"  Have  yoalieerd  ther  noos.  Missus  Jones  T"  inquired  a  neigh- 
bor of  an  old  lady  seated  in  her  door-way  e^joymg  her  pipe  her 
darter"  bemg  engaged  hanging  clothes  to  dry  in  L  2  yard 

'No,  I  haint,"  she  replied,  taking  her  pipe  from  he™  h' 
and  earnestly  regarding  the  speaker;  -I  hL  Zrd  no^S 
what  is  it.  Mister  Rusht"  nothmg; 

"  A  pesky  lot  o'  gamblers  ev  got  inter  town !"  replied  Mr.  Rush. 

h«r  w     T  ^'■^"''"'-    '^''^""^'^  *^«  °'^  ^^y'  springing  to 

her  feet  and  screammg  to  her  "darter"  at  the  to^  of  hef voice 

"Susy,  takem  them  ere  clothes;  the  gamblers  is  comin' "  ' 

The  above  anecdote  illustrates  the  light  in  which  gamblers 

were  viewed  m  this  country  half  a  generation  since.  The  peop" 

were  taught  to  consider  the  name  a  synonym  for  a  set  of  cS 

throate    whose  mildest  crunes  were  to  decoy  the  unwary   nto 

then-  "hells,"  and  there  rob  them;  that  they  were  the  patrons 

of  boxers  bruisers,  and  the  lowest  and  vilest  of  every  claS  and 

recognized  no  laweicept  the  bullet  and  the  knife,  whr'tS 

were  ready  to  resort  to  on  every  occasion,  to  av^ngeTeal  or 

fancied  slights  or  wrongs.    Prom  pulpit,  press,  and  fofum  were 

such  denunciations  hurled  on  their  devoted  heads,  by  p^rsZ 

who  knew  as  much  of  their  principles,  habits,  mann^rsf  aSd  cus! 

toms,  as  of  those  of  the  people  living  in  the  unexplored  ?egLns 

lST^\t^T^  .  ^""^'^  ^°*^^  naming  a  vicefconseqS 
none  dared  defend  it  or  its  votaries,  and  sectarian  hypocriL.  m- 
htical  demagogues,  and  the  "  unco  guid  "of  every  style  ^  hose 
Stock  m  trade  was  the  denunciation  of  sin,  seized  upon  gan.ine 
and  Its  votaries  as  capital  whenever  they  wished  to  extol  their 
own  virtues,  or  advance  their  moral  or  pecuniary  interests  in  the 
religious  community.  As  a  constant  dripping  of  water  will  wear 
even  a  stone,  so  their  tirades  of  abuse  were  so  frequent  and  vio- 
lent  throughout  the  whole  country,  that  people  at  last  settled 
down  to  accept  the  idea  that  the  bad  things  they  were  constantly 
hearing  of  gamblers  must  be  true,  and  no  viler  criminals  were 
tolerated  by  society.  'Twas  not  the  ignorant  and  uneducated 
alone  who  took  up  these  notions,  but  they  were  adopted  by  men 


336 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


of  intelligence  aud  icflnemeut,  wlio,  never  having  come  in  con- 
tact with  gauiMers,  or  heard  any  (lefenso  of  them,  believed  the 
vituperations  of  their  enemies  to  be  sober  truth. 

In  the  spring  of  1641,  four  gamblers  chartered  a  stage  to  take 
them  from  Selma,  Alabama,  to  Montgomery,  in  the  same  State. 
As  the  coach  was  passing  a  splendid  mansion  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  town,  a  gentlemanly  looking  person  in  clerical  attire  hailed 
it,  and  making  a  motion  to  hand  up  the  valise  he  carried,  desired 
a  passage  to  Benton,  fifteen  miles  further  on.    The  driver  in- 
formed him  that  the  conveyance  was  private,  and  churtered  by 
the  four  gentlemen  inside.    The  gentleman,  on  hearing  this,  ad- 
vanced to  the  coa«h  and  introduced  hhnself  to  its  occupants  as 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Breckinridge,  of  Danville,  Ky.,  stating  that  he  wm 
engaged  to  deliver  a  lecture  hi  Benton  that  evening,  and  begged 
a  passage  to  that  place.    The  gamblers  with  one  accord  invit^ 
him  to  take  a  seat  in  the  stage.  As  the  coach  rolled  over  the  road, 
the  reverend  Doctor  entertained  his  auditors  with  a  fund  of  anec- 
dote and  information  from  his  well-stocked  mind,  and  conversed 
with  fluency  and  ease  upon  the  topics  of  the  day,  attentively 
listened  to  by  his  orderly  and  appreciative  audience.     One  of 
the  latter,  being  arxious  to  know  in  what  light  their  reverend 
guest  regarded  gamblers,  without  seeming  to  do  so,  led  the  con- 
versation into  that  channel.    With  a  tongue  of  fire  did  the  Doctor 
pitch  into  gamblers;  and  the  more  denunciatory  he  became  of 
their  crimes  and  infamies,  the  more  attentive  and  interested  be- 
came his  listeners.    "  They  (gamblers)  were  a  debased,  depraved, 
besotted  class,  hi  both  habits  and  tastes;  treacherous  and  un- 
scrupulous,  and  leaving  no  means  untried  of  destroyhig  the  honor 
and  happiness  of  the  youth  of  the  country.  The  reverend  gentle- 
man was  now  under  a  full  head  of  steam.  "Why,  gentlemen,"  he 
continued,  "  they  burned  Mobile  last  winter.  I  suppose  you  have 
heard  of  itt"    None  of  his  auditors  had  ever  done  so.    "  WeU, 
BhB,  it  is  a  well-ascertained  fact  that  those  fiwiuent  firos  which 
occurred  there  during  the  winter,  were  the  diabolical  work  of 
the  gamblers  living  in  the  city." 

«'  I  can't  see  why  they  should  wish  to  boniup  the  oityl"  men- 
tioned one  of  his  auditors. 

"  I'll  tell  you,  gentlemen.  Previous  to  last  winter,  the  planters 
were  in  the  habit  of  sending  their  sons  to  Mobile  to  sell  thehr 
crops,  and  when  they  had  received  the  money  for  the  cotton,  the 


iug  come  in  con- 
lom,  believed  the 

id  a  stage  to  take 
u  tlie  same  State. 
1  on  the  outi'fkirts 
erical  attire  hailed 
le  carried,  desired 
1.  The  driver  in- 
and  churtered  by 
1  hearing  this,  ad- 

0  its  occupants  as 
tating  that  he  was 
ening,  and  begged 
)ne  accord  invited 
)lled  over  the  road, 
rithafundof  anec- 
iud,  and  conversed 
le  day,  attt  utively 
audience.  One  of 
ght  their  reverend 
do  so,  led  the  con- 
r  fire  did  the  Doctor 
ntory  he  became  of 

and  interested  be- 
debased,  depraved, 
reacberous  and  un< 
estroying  the  honor 
he  reverend  gentle* 
^hy,  gentlemen,"  he 

1  suppose  you  have 
ir  done  so.  "  Well, 
frequent  flros  which 

diabolical  work  of 

lup  the  city)"  mea> 

;  winter,  the  pUtnten 
Mobile  to  sell  their 
ly  for  the  cotton,  the 


PREJUDICES. 


337 


gamblers  of  the  city  caused  them  to  be  decoyed  )ato  their  places, 
and  robbed  thorn  of  t!ieu'  money.  Finding  it  no  longer  safe 
to  entrust  these  sales  to  their  sous,  this  last  winter  the  planters 
themselves  took  their  crops  to  Mobile  and  sold  them,  which,  de- 
priving them  of  their  usual  plunder,  so  enraged  the  gamblers, 
that  they  caused  the  city  to  be  fired." 

"  I  can't  see  how  such  a  proceeding  wasgomg  to  benefit  them," 
reiterated  the  first  speaker. 

"It  can't,  it  is  true !"  said  the  reverend  speaker,  emphatically; 
"  but  it  shows  to  what  extent  the  miscreants  will  go  for  the  sake 
of  revenge." 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  an  old  veteran  of  the  gaming- 
table stuck  his  head  out  of  the  window  and  called  to  the  person 
driving,  "  I  say,  driver,  can't  you  give  me  a  seat  outside  I  It's  a 
leetle  too  damned  hot  for  me  in  here." 

The  coach  was  stopped,  and  room  made  for  the  heated  gentle- 
man beside  the  driver.  Shortly  after,  the  coach  reached  Ben- 
ton, when  the  Doctor  took  a  cordial  leave  of  his  new  acquaint- 
ances, With  many  professions  of  thanks. 

Dr.  Breckinridge  knew  nothing  of  gaming  or  gamblers,  save 
what  he  had  learned  from  the  lying  an*!  malicious  reports  of  the 
day.  He  had  never  even  seen  the  inside  of  a  gambling-house, 
nor  been  thrown  into  the  society  of  a  gambler,  that  he  was 
aware  of.  His  prejudices  were  built  upon  the  garbled  reports 
of  newspapers,  which  were  in  every  respect  the  direct  opposite 
of  the  truth.  He  had  read  and  listened  to  these  tirades  of 
abuse  against  gamblers  so  often,  that  his  faith  in  their  veracity 
had  become  as  fixed  in  his  mind  as  the  articles  of  his  creed. 
With  all  his  learning  and  astute  perception,  be  had  never  once 
stopped  to  ask  himself  whether  there  was  room  for  doubt,  and 
If  he  were  not  laboring  under  a  delusion,  as  it  was  only  right  he 
should  have  done,  instead  of  taking  everything  for  granted,  as 
he  had  done.  He  had  merely  looked  at  one  side  of  the  ques- 
tion, without  giving  to  the  other  the  slightest  thought.  The 
press  throughout  the  country  informed  him  solemnly  that  gam- 
blers were  worse  than  pirates,  without  having  their  courage. 
When  it  was  desirable  to  give  to  some  atrocious  villain  a  deeper 
tinge  of  infamy,  he  was  stigmatized  as  a  gambler.  If  a  gang  of 
counterfeiters  flooded  the  country  with  their  forgeries,  it  was  the 
work  of  gamblers.    Should  the  mail  be  robbed,  it  was  done,  or 


838 


WANDERINGS  OF  A.  VAGABOND. 


at  any  rate  planned,  by  gamblers.  If  an  imaginary  insurrection 
was  going  to  take  place  among  the  slaves,  they  were  incited 
thereto  by  gamblers.  No  dark  deed  of  -any  sort  could  be  per- 
petrated unless  a  gambler  was  at  the  bottom  of  it. 

A  few  hours  after  the  terrible  tornado  of  1840  had  swept  over 
Natchez,  a  gentleman  who  was  seated  at  the  supper-table  in 
one  of  the  principal  hotels  was  describing  to  some  of  the  guests 
present,  the  fearful  havoc  made  by  it.  Among  his  auditors  was 
a  stuttering  sport,  who  had  frequently  felt  keenly  the  uniust  ac- 
cusations hurled  against  the  fraternity  of  which  he  was  a  worthy 
memben  He  seized  the  occasion  to  give  vent  to  his  indignation 
by  stuttering  out,  "I-I-I-I  sup-p-p-pose  they'll  s-s-saythe  g-g-g- 
gamblers  b-b-brought  the  t-t-tornado  here." 

I  shall  now  endeavor  to  enumerate  the  causes,  or  some  of 
them  at  least,  which  brought  the  gambling  community  into 
such  bad  cdor,  and  led  to  the  ui^ust  prejudices  against  them, 
•which  ha^  e  existed  for  the  last  thirty  odd  years.  Somewhere 
abf)ut  the  year  1835,  a  man  named  Murrill  was  convicted  of 
nogro-stealing  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  sentenced  for  ten 
years  to  the  Nashville  penitentiary.  The  principal  witness 
against  him  was  a  man  named  Stewart.  This  man  published  a 
pamphlet,  which  had  an  extensive  circulation  throughout  the 
country,  and  upon  the  people  living  in  the  Mississippi  valley  it 
exerted  a  most  pernicious  influence.  Stewart,  in  his  pamphlet, 
related  how  he  had  for  several  months  dogged  the  footsteps  of 
Murrill,  following  him  from  the  State  of  Tennessee  into  those  of 
Mississippi,  Missouri,  and  Arkansas,  and  that  his  labors  were 
finally  rewarded  by  the  discovery  that  Murrill  was  the  chief  of 
a  secret  organization,  a  formidable  band  of  villains,  who  styled 
themselves  "The  League  of  Secret  Brotherhood."  Having 
adroitly  wormed  himself  into  the  confidence  of  Murrill,  he  drew 
from  him  the  facts  that  the  "League"  numbered  over  3000  mem- 
bers, and  was  composed  of  highwaymen,  negro-thieves,  counter- 
feiters, and  the  entire  gambling  community,  ftom  the  great 
lakes  to  the  gulf.  Murrill,  as  its  chief,  was  clothed  with  su- 
preme power.  Ho  appointed  and  removed  subordinates  at 
pleasure.  All  derelictions  from  duty  were  immediately  communi- 
cated to  him  by  his  secret  spies,  and  all  traitors  or  refractory 
officers  or  men  assassinated  by  his  orders.  The  League,  whose 
xamifications  extended  throughout  the  entire  West  and  South- 


L 


ginary  insurrection 
they  were  iucited 
sort  could  be  per- 
ofit. 

140  liad  swept  over 
be  supper-table  in 
some  of  the  guests 
ig  bis  auditors  was 
enly  the  uniust  ac- 
;h  he  was  a  worthy 
b  to  his  indignation 
Is-B-saytheg-g-g- 

sauses,  or  some  of 
g  community  into 
ices  against  them, 
years.  Somewhere 
1  was  convicted  of 
I  sentenced  for  ten 
principal  witness 
s  man  published  a 
on  throughout  the 
dississippi  valley  it 
t,  in  his  pamphlet, 
3d  the  footsteps  of 
lessee  into  those  of 
at  his  labors  were 
ill  was  the  chief  of 
villains,  who  styled 
lerhood."  Having 
if  Murrill,  he  drew 
red  over  3000  mem- 
ro-thieves,  counter- 
ty,  from  the  great 
;S  clothed  with  su- 
d  subordinates  at 
aediately  communi- 
Eiitors  or  refractory 
rhe  League,  whose 
e  West  and  South- 


PBEJI7SICES. 

West,  was  divided  into  classes,  each  class  roaming  over  the 
country,  and  exercising  its  peculiar  vocation  wherever  it  was 
found  most  profitable.    That  is  to  say,  highwaymen,  negro- 
thieves,  horse-thieves,  gamblers,  and  counterfeiters,  each  pur- 
sued their  calling  in  separate  bands,  but  were  coinpelled  by  the 
laws  of  the  "League,"  to  aid,  abet,  and  defend  each  other,  should 
occasion  arise.    Each  class  was  comiuauded  by  a  chief,  who 
was  subject  to  the  order  of  Murrill,  responsible  to  him  for  the 
discipline  of  his  band,  and  whatever  plunder  it  had  captured. 
Members  recognized  each  other  by  secret  signs  and  grips.  Murrill 
soon  became  so  impressed  with  the  idea  that  Stewart  possessed 
extraordinary  ability,  that  he  not  only  initiated  him  into  the 
"League,"  but,  made  him  his  chief  lieutenant,  aud  after  he  had 
raised  him  to  this  elevated  position,  communicated  to  him  a 
grand  scheme  which  he  had  concocted  and  arranged,  and  was 
now  all  ready  to  put  into  execution,  which  would  enrich  the  en- 
tire brotherhood.    He  stated  to  Stewart  that  his  agents  had, 
during  the  last  year,  been  at  work  among  the  negroes  along  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  preparing  them  for  a  simultaneous  re- 
volt against  their  masters.    To  facilitate  this  movement,  the 
funds  of  the  League  had  been  invested  in  fire-arms  and  ammu- 
nition for  the  same,  from  the  North,  and  a  large  amount  of 
these  were  already  in  the  hands  of  the  slaves  aud  their  white 
sympathizers.    He  stated  that  a  few  months  more  would  see  their 
preparations  complete,  and  that  the  following  Christmas  had  been 
selected  as  the  day  on  which  the  rising  should  take  place.    The 
"League"  would  have  its  forces  at  Natchez,  Vicksburg,  and 
New  Orleans,  ready  to  take  instant  advantage  of  the  confusion 
caused  by  the  insurrection,  and  seize  the  treasure  in  the  banks 
of  those  cities,  while  the  slaves  were  killing  their  masters.    It  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  soul  of  Stewart  burned  within  him  to 
rid  the  world  of  such  an  atrocious  villain;  but,  in  order  to  find 
out  all  his  plans,  he  dissembled  and  appeared  delighted  with  the 
scheme.     Like  a  sleuth-hound  he  trailed  the  footsteps  of  his 
Tictim,  until  he  was  able  to  prove  that  the  great  captain  of  the 
"League"  had  laid  himself  amenable  to  the  law,  by  stealing  a 
slave,  the  property  of  a  widow  woman  in  rather  humble  cir- 
cumstances.   Great  crimmals  sometimes  stoop  to  rather  petty 
crimes. 
The  excitement  created  by  this  pamphlet  hi  the  valley  of  the 


340  WANDEBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

Mississippi  is  not  to  ho  described.    It  was  eagerly  perused  byaU 
who  could  road,  aud  those  who  could  not,  heard  its  contents  con- 
tinually  ventilated  from  the  stump  by  political  demagogues.  To 
express  a  doubt  of  the  truth  of  any  thing  contained  m  Uo  pamph- 
let was  to  lay  one's  self  open  to  suspicions  of  being  a  member  of 
the  "League;"  consequently  the  mouths  of  thinkmg  men  were 
closed.     In  such  periods,  wher  the  people  are  stirred  to  the 
depths,  and  a  prey  to  anxiety  and  fear,  the  political  and  religious 
demagogue  creeps  into  power.    By  them  the  constituted  author- 
ities are  displaced  and  the  laws  set  aside.    As  they  have  foisted 
themselves  into  power  through  the  doubts  and  fears  of  the  peo- 
ple, so  they  sustain  themselves  in  their  positions,  keeping  them 
constantly  in  dread,  by  the  terrible  idea  that  atrocious  villains 
are  secretly  in  their  midst,  plotting  their  destruction  by  deeds  of 
blood  and  infamy.    Their  trumped-up  tales  of  hidden  danger 
are  listened  to  with  avidity  by  the  people,  until  confidence  is 
destroyed,  and  each  believing  "every  man's  hand  against  him,' 
resolves  that  "his  hand  shall  be  against  every  man."     Their 
fears  induce  the  weak-minded  and  unscrupulous  to  cast  suspi- 
cions upon  others,  in  order  that  they  themselves  may  appear  hon- 
est.   Terror  holds  tigh  carnival,  and  cruelties  worthy  the  vilest 
and  worst  days  of  the  Inquisition  ensue ;  from  which  the  virtu- 
ous and  unoffending  are  by  no  means  exempt.     Such  was  the 
state  of  affairs  created  by  Stewart's  pamphlec  in  many  of  the 
scattered  settlements  along  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.    Men 
were  hanged,  upon  the  shallowest  pretenses  that  they  were  mem- 
bers of  the  obnoxious  League,  or,  what  was  to  many  quite  as  bad, 
cruelly  lashed  at  the  whipping-post;   the  banishment  of  men 
tiom  their  homes,  and  the  confiscation  of  all  they  possessed  hi 
the  world,  was  considered  a  mild  punishment  by  the  Lynch  courts 
which  everywhere  sprung  up.    The  demagogues  were  unable  in 
Vicksburg  and  Natchez  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  citizens 
sufficiently  for  them  to  overthrow  the  laws  until  the  following 
event  took  place : 

At  the  time  of  which  I  write  Vicksburg  was  the  central  pomt 
of  speculation  in  the  Southwest,  on  account  of  the  sales  of  rich 
cotton  lands  taking  place  at  that  period,  hi  its  vicinity.  Adventu- 
rous spirits  of  every  description  gathered  there,  in  hopes  of  bet- 
tering their  pecuniary  condition ;  the  country  was  flooded  with 
f  wlldrcat"  money,  then  circulated  at  parj  and  hi  the  mania  for 


'ly  perused  by  all 
its  contentb  con- 
demagogues.  To 
ed  iu  tlie  pampb- 
ling  a  member  of 
iDking  men  were 
re  stirred  to  tbc 
lical  and  religious 
instituted  author- 
they  bave  foisted 
fears  of  tbe  peo- 
ns, keeping  them 
atrocious  villains 
iction  by  deeds  of 
)f  bidden  danger 
Qtil  confidence  is 
ind  against  bim," 
!ry  man."     Their 
ous  to  cast  suspi- 
may  appear  bon- 
worthy  the  vilest 
which  tbe  virtu- 
t.     Such  was  the 
)i)  in  many  of  the 
Mississippi.    Men 
at  they  were  mem- 
many  quite  as  bad, 
misbmeut  of  men 
they  possessed  in 
r  tbe  Lynch  courts 
les  were  unable  in 
ice  of  tbe  citizens 
ntil  the  following 

tbe  central  point 
f  the  sales  of  rich 
ricinity.  Adventu- 
B,  in  hopes  of  bet- 
r  was  flooded  with 
id  hi  the  mania  for 


PttZJUBICBS. 


341 


speculation  every  one  seemed  more  or  less  carrie<l  away.  For- 
tunes were  made  and  lost  in  a  single  day.  Gamblcis  flocked 
there  from  all  parts  of  tbe  Union,  and  at  'oast  fifty  banks  were 
opened  in  the  city,  nearly  all  of  which  did  a  thriving  business,  hi 
spite  of  tbe  abuse  heaped  upon  their  owners  by  the  press  of  the 
city.  Aside  from  their  profession,  nothing  derogatory  to  their 
character  or  behavior  could  be  alleged  against  them;  they  were 
quiet  and  o'-derly  in  all  their  habits,  and  the  soul  of  probity  in  all 
their  dealings.  But  owing  to  the  feeling  against  them,  and  the 
vituperations  showered  upon  them  by  the  press,  they  were  final- 
ly compelled  to  flee  ftom  tbe  place,  in  order  to  escape  the  unrea- 
soning vengeance  of  an  infuriated  mob. 
^  The  Fourth  of  July  in  1835  was  celebrated  with  more  than 
usual  spender  by  tbe  citizens  of  Vicksburg,  and  to  enhance  its 
glories  tbe  militia  soldiery  of  Natchez  had  come  up  the  river  to 
assist  in  tbe  glorification.  While  dinner  was  going  forward,  a 
ruffian,  named  Cobbler,  inspired  thereto  by  tbe  potent  spirit  of 
old  rye,  amused  himself  by  walking  over  the  tables,  among  the 
dishes  with  which  they  were  laid.  Some  of  his  friends  laid  vio- 
lent hands  on  him,  captured  and  took  him  from  tbe  room.  This 
outrageous  conduct  created  a  terrible  excitement,  and  tbe  report 
was  somehow  circulated  that  Cobbler  was  a  professional  gamb- 
ler, which  was  entirely  false.  He  was  a  blacksiliith  of  Natchez, 
and  while  living  there  had  gained  some  celebrity  as  a  pugilist. 
Considering  it  an  easier  mode  of  life  than  that  of  plying  a 
sledge-hammer,  be  threw  up  the  latter  and  devoted  his  whole 
attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  manly  art.  Like  most  charac- 
ters of  his  kind,  be  hung  around  gambling-houses  and  preyed 
upon  gamblers  for  support,  and  was,  therefore,  as  is  almost  in- 
variably tbe  case,  considered  by  tbe  sapient  public  a  gambler. 
This  outrage  might  bave  passed  off  in  tbe  ordinary  way,  and 
without  creating  any  unusual  amount  of  disturbance,  bad  not  a 
few  demagogues  taken  advantage  of  it  to  inflame  tbe  passions  of 
the  citizens  of  tbe  place  against  tbe  gamblers.  A  public  meeting 
was  called,  which,  in  the  excitement  of  the  hour,  was  bargely  at- 
tended, and  tbe  crowd  was  addressed  by  speakers  who  intem- 
perately  advocated  the  expulsion  by  violence,  from  their  midst,  of 
every  gambler  in  tbe  city.  Resolutions  to  that  effect  were  carried 
almost  without  a  dissenting  voice.  No  time  for  consideration 
was  taken  by  tbe  meeting,  or  to  asoertahi  whether  the  gamblers 


812 


WANSERHrOS  OF  A  TAOABOITD. 


of  the  place  were  In  any  way  rcaponslblo  for  the  outragre  rjTnmlt- 
ted  by  Cobbler,  or  whetber  ho  was  a  gnmbler;  that  was  not 
what  the  demagogues,  who  wore  pulling  the  wires  of  toeir  pup- 
pets, the  people,  were  calming  at.  On  the  spur  of  the  moment  a 
vigilance  committee  was  organized  with  avowedly  the  express 
intention  of  forcibly  ridding  the  city  of  all  gamblers  within  its 
limits.  Many  of  the  more  respectable  citizens  of  the  place  ex- 
pressed their  disapprobation  of  such  summary  proceedings,  but 
the  public  mind,  already  at  fever-beat  from  the  reading  of 
Stewart's  pamphlet  and  the  violent  attacks  of  the  press  upon 
gamblers,  was  in  no  condition  to  listen  to  the  remonstrances  of 
their  peace  and  order  loving  townsmen. 
**^  Facing  the  steamboat  landing  was  a  low  groggery,  the  resort 
of  third-rate  sharpers  and  river  thieves  of  all  descriptions,  add 
extensively  patronized  by  the  lower  orders  of  boatmen,  who  were 
frequently  swindled  out  of  their  eami^g8  there,  or  followed  by 
some  of  its  inmates  or  frequenters,  and  knocked  down  and  rob- 
bed on  the  dark  levee.  A  24  No.  roulette  wheel  was  th*)  only 
instrument  appertaining  to  a  banking  game  of  chance  about  the 
premises,  and  the  only  show  the  patrons  of  the  place  had  to 
win,  should  they  desire  to  hazard  their  money  outside  of  games 
of  cards  with  their  immediate  friends.  The  brawls  and  frequent 
robberies  taking  place  at  this  disreputable  establishment  had 
brought  down  upon  it  the  loud  disapprobation  of  the  citizens, 
and  even  the  river  men  had,  at  various  times,  threatened  to  tear 
it  down.  Upon  this  resort,  then,  did  the  committee  make  their 
first  attack,  ordering  its  proprietor  to  close  up  his  place  and 
leave  the  city— a  thing  he  flatly  refused  to  do.  A  company  of 
about  thirty  lynchers  were  sent  to  the  obnoxious  house  under 
orders  to  tear  it  down  and  seize  all  its  inmates.  They  approached 
the  premises  in  double  file  to  the  music  of  a  fife  and  drum,  and 
armed  with  cuns  and  other  weapons,  when,  after  they  had  got 
within  a  very  short  distance,  a  volley  was  fired  flrom  the  house 
into  their  ranks,  killing  and  wounding  several;  among  the  first, 
the  leader  of  the  party.  This  unlooked-for  reception,  together 
with  the  fall  of  their  leader,  caused  the  attacking  party  to  beat 
a  hasty  retreat.  The  proprietor  of  the  house,  instead  of  aban- 
doning it.  foolishly  dt!^Rrmined  to  defend  it  with  his  life,  and 
being  joiuod  by  three  friends  as  reckless  and  foolhardy  as  him- 
JBelf,  they  had  armed  themselves  and  prepared  for  the  siege. 


outrage  c  unimit* 
r;  that  was  not 
ires  of  taeir  pup- 
of  the  motnent  a 
Billy  the  express 
Qblers  within  its 
of  the  place  ez- 
procoedings,  but 
the  reading  of 
f  the  press  upon 
'emoQstrances  of 

?gery,  the  resort 
iescriptions,  add 
atmen^who  were 
I,  or  followed  by 
[  down  and  rob- 
eel  was  th-i  only 
banco  about  the 
lie  place  had  to 
3utside  of  games 
wis  and  frequent 
tablishment  had 
1  of  the  citizens, 
ireatened  to  tear 
littee  make  their 
p  his  place  and 
A  company  of 
ous  house  under 
rhey  approached 
i  and  drum,  and 
ter  they  bad  got 
.  fh>m  the  house 
among  the  first, 
ception,  together 
ng  party  to  beat 
instead  of  aban- 
ith  his  life,  and 
(olhardy  as  him- 
id  for  the  siege. 


PREJTTSICXS. 


343 


The  place  being  but  a  mere  sbanty  built  of  pine  boards,  could 
offer  no  resistance  of  any  account  of  itself  to.the  lynchers,  but 
the  inmates,  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  had  piled  furniture  and 
whatever  loose  lumber  they  could  lay  tiieir  hands  on,  against 
the  doors,  pierced  the  sides  of  the  shanty  with  port-holes,  from 
which  to  fire  on  the  advancing  foe,  and  thus  awaited  the  return 
of  the  lynchers.  The  latter,  after  their  repulse,  retreated  some 
distance  from  the  house  and  sent  for  reinforcements.  On  the 
arrival  of  these,  a  cordon  of  sentinels  surrounded  the  place  at  a 
respectful  distance,  in  order  to  prevent  any  of  the  inmates  from 
making  their  escape.  A  cannon  was  procured,  a  few  shots  from 
which  sent  the  rickety  old  shell  tumbling  about  the  ears  of  its 
defenders,  who  were  all  captured.  Tho  four  men  were  then, 
without  a  moment's  delay,  dragged  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  and, 
without  even  the  form  of  a  trial,  hanged  on  a  tree.  One  of  the 
victims  was  tho  man  who  run  the  roulette  game,  and  the  center 
of  the  wheel  was  tied  up  to  his  dangling  body.  On  the  morning 
subsequent  to  the  hanging,  the  wife  of  the  man  who  kept  the 
place  came  and  begged  the  body  of  her  husband,  that  she 
might  give  it  decent  burial ;  but  instead  of  granting  this  pious 
request,  the  leader  of  the  lynchers  drove  her  away  with  curses 
and  insults  not  mentionable  to  ears  polite.  I  met  the  brute  in 
Brownsville,  Texas,  eleven  years  later.  He  was  a  debased  and 
drunken  sot,  so  low  that  he  was  more  an  object  of  pity  than  re- 
sentment, though  the  finger  of  scorn  bad  never  ceased  to  be 
pointed  at  him  as  one  of  the  stranglers  of  Vicksburg. 

Shortly  after  the  repulse  of  the  first  body  of  lynchers,  and  the 
death  of  its  leader,  guards  were  stationed  around  the  steamboat 
landing,  to  prevent  any  of  the  gamblers  fvom  making  their  es- 
cape. Bodies  of  lynchers  were  also  sent  to  patrol  '^very  avenue 
of  escape  from  the  city.  But  before  they  had  thought  of  taking 
these  precautions,  many  of  the  gamblers,  warned  of  the  coming 
storm,  had  sought  safety  on  a  timely  steamer  bound  to  New  Or- 
leans from  Vicksburg,  and  which  left  before  the  fatal  shots  were 
fired.  Cobbler,  the  cause  of  all  the  disturbance,  also  made  h.8 
escape  on  the  same  steamer.  A  few  gamblers,  conscious  of  com- 
mitting no  crime,  and  therefore  expecting  no  violence,  decided 
on  remaining  until  the  excitement  should  have  blown  over. 
When  the  news  of  the  killing  of  the  Ijmch  leader  spread  through 
the  city  like  wild-fire,  they  began  to  apprehend  danger.    Fol- 


344 


WAKUEUI.NGS  OF  A  VAUAl'OJJD. 


lowing  fast  ou  tUis  startling  news,  tbo  cry  arose  of ''Death  to 
[(ttiublers!"  If  these  uiuiuous  worda,  fulluwiug  last  on  the  heels 
of  tlie  killing  of  the  leader  ut°  those  who  seat  up  the  shout,  failed 
to  convince  the  most  slteptical  or  blanch  tlie  cheek  of  the  brav- 
est among  them,  the  summary  hanging  of  the  four  men  con- 
vinced them  that  their  lives  Imng  trembling  in  the  balance. 
Many  citizens,  among  whom  wero  officers  of  the  law,  gave  to 
them  asylums  in  their  houses  until  the  stoiai  had  passed,  when 
they  were  smuggled  on  board  etoamors.  A  planter  living  seven 
miles  from  the  city  sheltered  flvc  of  them  until  tbcy  were  able  to 
make  their  escape  by  a  pansing  steamer  bound  for  New  Orleans. 

A  gambler  named  James  Hoard,  bring  unable  to  get  on  board 
tbo  steamer  which  carried  off  the  first  party  from  the  city,  be- 
came very  uneasy.  He  scanned  the  river  with  longing  eyes  both 
up  and  down,  in  hopes  another  steamer  would  heave  in  sight, 
but  he  was  doomed  to  disappointment. 

While  ill  this  unenviable  state  of  mind,  the  news  of  the  killing 
of  the  leader,  and  wounding  of  two  others  of  the  lynchers, 
reached  him.  The  tidings  sent  a  cold  chill  to  the  heart  of  Hoard. 
Ho  started  for  his  hotel  with  a  rapid  step,  determined  to  lock 
himself  up  in  his  room,  and  await  the  issue  of  events.  Scarcely 
had  he  gained  the  doors  of  this  asylum,  when  the  shout,  "Death 
to  gamblers ! "  fell  like  the  sentence  of  doom  upon  his  ears.  From 
that  u.oment  his  memory  was  a  blank,  until  he  found  himself 
seated  astride  a  log  in  the  midst  of  a  swamp  five  miles  below  the 
city,  whore  he  ren^ained  all  night,  listening,  ar  he  expressed  it, 
"to  an  orchestra  composed  of  shrieking  owls  and  growling 
frogs."  By  dint  of  swimming  and  wading,  after  daylight  again 
visited  him,  he  managed  to  reach  "  terra  firma;"  and  soon  dis- 
covered, to  his  great  joy,  that  he  was  but  a  very  short  distance 
flrom  the  river.  I".  ?.  few  hours  ?  steamer  on  her  way  to  New 
Orleans  wop  hailed  by  hira,  and  at  bis  request  he  was  taken  on 
board.  Anxious  to  know  what  sort  of  an  appearance  he 
presented  after  his  forced  vigi!,  he  walked  up  to  -^neof  the  hand- 
some mirrors  with  which  the  cabin  was  adombi..  It  was  some 
time  before  he  could  convince  himself  that  the  image  there  re- 
flected was  that  of  the  "  bona-flde"  Jimmy  Hoard.  The  raven 
locks  which  hsid  yesterday  adorned  his  cranium  were  turned  to 
an  iron  gray. 

"—Cxexr  it  wlilto  In  a  single  night, 

Ai  men'i  liaro  grown  thiongh  sudden  fitar." 


PBUUDICXS. 


145 


«e  of ''Doath  to 
last  OP.  the  hools 
tbo  Hhout,  fulled 
icok  of  the  brav- 
i  four  men  con- 
in  the  bivlunco. 
the  law,  gave  to 
ad  passed,  when 
Qtor  living  seven 
tb(.y  were  able  to 
for  New  Orleans. 
s  to  get  on  board 
pom  the  city,  be- 
onglng  eyes  both 
1  heave  in  sight, 

BWB  of  the  killing 
of  the  lynchers, 

0  heart  of  Hoard, 
terinlned  to  lock 
3venta.  Scarcely 
le  shout,  "Death 
n  his  ears.  From 
le  found  himself 
e  miles  below  the 

'  he  expressed  it, 
'la  and  growling 
sr  daylight  again 
;"  and  soon  dls- 
ry  short  distance 
her  way  to  New 
he  was  taken  on 

1  appearance  he 
:■  oneof  thehand- 
bi..  It  was  some 
I  image  there  re- 
)ard.  The  raven 
01  were  turned  to 

1  fear." 


In  those  sluggish  days,  no  telegraph  wires  flashed  the  news 
to  the  four  quarters  of  the  Union,  and  the  next  morning 
told  it  to  tbo  dwellers  in  all  the  larger  cities,  at  breakfast, 
tiirougii  tlie  medium  of  the  daily  journals.  Post-boys,  stages, 
and  steamers,  then  informed  the  people  of  the  United  States 
that  they  were  indebted  to  the  worthy  and  virtuous  citizens 
of  Vicksburg,  for  the  stringing  up  of  four  abandoned  wretches 
of  tlie  genus  gambler,  and  called  upon  society  in  general 
to  bo  properly  grateful.  But  society  was  in  this  case,  as  in 
many  others,  grossly  imposed  upon  by  false  representations. 
Neither  of  tho  four  strangled  unfortunates  were  gamblers,  as  the 
press  of  that  day,  and  long  afterwards,  boldly  asserted.  That 
the  mob  would  not  have  scrupled  to  hang  a  myriad  cf  gamblers, 
could  they  have  lain  hands  on  them,  is  a  matter  no  one  is  likely 
to  dispute ;  the  attention  Is  merely  called  to  the  lying  reports  of 
tho  press  of  those  days,  r't'cli  seems,  certainly,  to  be  more 
pleased  to  have  published  a  lie  than  a  plain,  unvarnished  fact. 
The  man  who  turned  the  roulette  wheel  was  the  only  one 
among  them  who  could.  In  any  sense,  be  called  a  gambler ;  and 
a  low  oue  indeed  ho  must  have  been,  to  pursue  his  calling  In  so 
low  a  den.  Gamblers,  properly  speaking,  have  never  yet  toler- 
ated the  society  of  men  whose  associates  were  low  thieves,  if 
thpv  knew  it,  or.  In  fact,  high  ones  either.  Tho  four  hanged 
wretches  wore  all  reckless  desperadoes,  capable,  no  doubt,  of 
conanittlng  the  darkest  crimes.  If  one  may  Judge  from  the  com- 
pany they  kept;  but  the  fact  still  stands  good,  that,  by  the  laws 
of  every  civilized  country  on  earth,  tbey  were  justified  in  protect- 
ing tlioir  homo  against  tho  attacks  of  a  lawless  mob,  nor  will  all 
the  flue  phrases  In  the  English  language  convince  right-minded 
and  reflecting  people  that  the  men  who  so  summarily  sent  them 
before  their  Maker,  were  more  or  less  than  cowardly  assassins. 

Stewart's  pamphlets  and  the  Vicksburg  tragedy  were  the 
precursors  of  every  sort  of  persecution  to  gamblers.  They  were 
looked  upon  in  the  South  and  Southwest  as  land  pirates. 
Shortly  after  the  Vicksburg  aff"alr,  placards  wore  posted  in  most 
of  tho  larye  towns  and  cities  of  the  South  and  Southwest,  warn- 
ing gamblers  to  leave,  and  not  to  return,  under  penalty  of  the 
same  fate.  In  the  cities  of  Memphis,  Nashville,  Louisville,  and 
St.  Louis,  mobs  arose  with  the  avowed  design  of  hanging  every 
gambler  they  could  lay  hands  upon;  but  in  such  times  It  la 


346 


WAltDERIMQS  or  ▲  VAOABOSD. 


gouorally  not  very  oosy  to  catch  the  gamblers  to  bang.  A  mob 
WU8  also  orgauizod  fur  the  miiuo  purpuHu  iu  Ciucinnuti ;  but,  un- 
furtuuutely,  Its  huuiauo  iutoutlous  wvro  frustrated  by  a  procln- 
matlon  of  the  Mayor,  docUiriug  that  gamblers  were  entitled  to 
the  same  protection  ei\joycd  by  the  other  citizens,  nnd,  in  the 
event  of  any  disturbance  occurring,  or  any  violence  being 
attempted,  ho  should  deal  with  the  oQbndcra  according  to  law. 
In  Baltimore,  tlio  indignant  mob  razed  to  the  ground  a  gambling- 
bouse  kept  by  a  man  named  Johnston. 

During  iheHC  exciting  timoo gamblers  usually  made  "discretion 
the  better  part  of  valor,"  and  disappeared  until  the  storm  hud 
passed  over;  or,  as  it  was  termed  by  the  press,  the  "public 
indignation  "  had  subsided,  when  they  "  came  forth  f^om  their 
Tile  dens  like  adders  tempted  forth  by  the  sunshine."  The  press 
of  the  country,  however,  kept  the  public  bate  and  loathing  for 
gamblers  alive  by  its  constant  vitui)erations  and  assertions  of 
unfair  and  ui^just  dealing,  and  neither  the  demagogue  on  his 
stump  nor  the  preacher  in  his  pulpit  Allied  to  add  his  influence 
to  theirs.  Such  was  the  effect  "f  all  this,  that  the  unfortunate 
objects  found  themselves  beyond  the  pale  of  the  laws,  the  legiti- 
mate prey  of  fraud  and  violence.  Should  his  money  Int  snatched 
or  otherwise  taken  from  him  by  force,  the  press  endorsed  the 
glorious  act,  and  the  moral  portion  of  the  community  was  so  de- 
lighted at  the  cute  trick,  that  it  Indulged  In  a  general  laugh,  and 
shook  hands  all  round.  The  police  oflBcer  who,  by  fraud  or 
violence,  could  capture  a  party  of  gamblers  while  at  play,  and 
rob  them  of  their  gambling  tools  nnd  money,  had  made  his  mark 
on  the  shifting  sand  of  the  world's  good  opinion. 

While  these  feelings  and  opinions  respecting  the  firatemity 
were  at  their  height,  a  fellow  by  the  name  of  J.  H.  Greene,  better 
known  as  "  Greene,  the  reformed  gambler,"  furnished  to  a  young 
Kentuckian  the  material  for  writing  a  book,  purporting  to  be  an 
exposition  of  the  manners,  customs,  and  habits  of  the  gambling 
community,  and  also  pretended  to  expose  their  methods  of  con- 
ducting their  swindling  games  and  other  operations'.  His  book 
was  favorably  received,  and  crjated  considerable  sensation.  The 
times  were  ripe  for  it,  and  thd  public  was  ready  to  swallow  any 
tale,  however  preposterous,  to  ihe  discredit  of  gamblers,  no  dif- 
ference bow  vile  or  monstrous.  No  charlatan  had  ever  a  larger 
field  fox  Ills  operations,  or  so  many  credulous  subjects  ready  and 


PIlEJUmCES. 


347 


0  bang.  A  mob 
;iiiDiiti ;  but,  un- 
tod  by  a  procln- 

wero  entitled  to 
ens,  nnd,  in  tbo 

violence  being 
ccording  to  law, 
uund  a  gambling- 
made  •'discretion 
;il  tbo  storm  hud 
ess,  the  "public 
)  forth  n-om  their 
jine."  The  press 
and  loathing  for 
and  assertions  ol 
emagogue  on  his 
add  his  influence 
t  the  unfortunate 
0  laws,  the  legiti- 
oney  Iks  snatched 
ess  endorsed  the 
Dun4ty  was  so  de- 
oneral  laugh,  and 
irho,  by  fraud  or 
rbile  at  play,  and 
[id  made  his  mark 
1. 

ng  the  Aratemity 
H.  Greene,  better 
mished  to  a  young 
irporting  to  be  an 
9  of  the  gambling 
ir  methods  of  con- 
fitions'.  His  book 
)le  sensation.  The 
iy  to  swallow  any 
gamblers,  no  dif- 
had  ever  a  larger 
mbjecte  ready  and 


willing— nay,  more,  eager  to  bo  huinl)ugffed.  His  book  taught, 
first,  that  all  gaml)ler8  wore  thieves ;  secondly,  that  they  never 
played  on  the  square;  thirdly,  that  faro  liad  less  i)crcentage 
than  any  other  banking  game,  and  that  it  was  twenty  per  cent, 
worse  than  stealing,  anyliow.  The  moral  Mr.  Groelie,  finding 
his  falsehoods  swallowed  with  such  avidltv,  now  t(M)k  a  toi'.r 
through  the  country,  lecturing  In  all  the  towns  of  any  size,  on 
gambling,  and  giving  Illustrations  of  the  diffcront  methods  of 
cheating  at  cards,  dice,  etc.  While  lecturing  he  clearly  demon- 
strated to  his  audience  that  he  could  read  by  their  backs  the 
suits  and  denomination  of  every  sort  of  playing-card  niumifac- 
tured. 

When  this  Immaculate  gentloman  had  finished  his  disqulsltiou 
on  the  manners,  habits,  and  practices  of  gamblers,  their  several 
modes  of  cheating  pulling  two  cards  at  faro,  palming,  stocking, 
thlmble-riggin/,',  bottom-dealing,  dico-cogging,  etc.,  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  announce  to  bin  audience  that  every  playing-card  manu- 
factured was  scamped  with  secret  signs,  which  were  readable  by 
every  gambler  in  the  world,  but  wh'ch,  to  the  uninitiated,  meant 
nothing ;  and  i;o  demonstrate  the  truth  of  his  assertion  ho  would 
take  a  coin  frc  m  his  pocket  and  desire  that  some  one  would  fetch 
from  the  neanst  place,  where  they  were  procurable,  a  pack  of 
cards.  If,  as  happened  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  every  hundred, 
no  one  volunteered,  each  one  waiting  for  his  neighbor  to  do  so,  a 
capper  stepped  from  the  audience,  took  the  money,  disappeared, 
and  shortly  reappeared  with  a  stamped  pack  of  cards,  which  he 
presented  to  tbo  sanctimonious  Greene.  That  spotless  worthy 
now  shuflBed  them  in  full  view  of  the  people,  and  would  then  tell 
his  astonished  audience  the  suit  and  size  of  each  card  as  it  lay 
on  the  pack,  face  downward,  before  exposing  it  to  the  gaze  of 
his  bewildered  and  startled  hearers. 

Should  any  adventurous  gentleman  among  the  spectators, 
haviug  before  his  eyes  the  fear  of  being  humbugged,  snatch  the 
coin,  and  himself  rash  out  in  search  of  a  pack,  or  have  on  hand 
one  of  his  own  private  packs,  Greene  was  prepared  for  such  an 
emergency.  He  would  take  the  pack  from  the  hands  of  his 
doubtful  auditor,  and  calling  the  attention  of  his  audience  by 
telling  them  to  watch  him  cloeely  and  be  sure  he  did  not  change 
it,  commence  shufBlng.  After  he  had  done  so  he  would  aston- 
ish his  gaping  auditors  by  reading  eaoh  size  and  suit  correctly 


I 


84S  wAyvvKmot  or  a  vagabond. 

from  the  back  as  easily  as  he  had  done  the  stamped  ones.  So 
cleverly  did  he  accomplish  this  trick,  that  some  of  the  most  prac- 
tical gamblers  of  the  day  tried  to  acquaint  themsel'.  es  with  the 
"  modus-operandi,"  and  failed  to  do  so,  though  perfectly  well 
satisfied  that  a  fraud  existed  somewhere.  His  lectures  were  at- 
tended by  philosophers,  practical  scientific  men,  astute  lawyers, 
learoed  legislators,  shrewd  thieves,  and  cunning  detectives,  not 
one  of  whom  doubted  that  Greene  was  a  true  disciple  of  honesty; 
but  not  a  few  gamblers  knew  him  to  be  a  fraud,  but  had  not  the 
power,  or,  to  speak  more  correctly,  the  courage,  to  expose  him. 
His  trick,  when  known,  was,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  exceedingly 
simple.  A  small  piece  of  looking-glass  being  inserted  or  laid 
upon  the  desk  when  he  was  lectming,  showsd  him  the  face  of 
the  card  as  he  removed  it  fh>m  the  pack. 

According  to  Greene's  account  of  b'*^self,  he  was  the  associate 
of  the  thieves,  desperadoes,  and  c«  att  "feiters  who  infested  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  i  e>  ^  from  Cincinnati  to  New 
Orleans,  for  the  space  of  fifteen  yeau.  His  gambling  seems  to 
have  been  a  petty  career  of  playing  swindling  games  of  short  cards 
on  steamers,  by  playing  on  the  unwary  and  verdant,  stamped  and 
marked  cards,  or  giving  them  large  hands  a*-  '  U-fours,"  poker, 
brag,  euchre,  etc.,  and  beating  them  with  better  ones.  When 
not  engaged  in  the  immaculate  manner  described,  be  followed 
up  fal^  and  race-courses,  and  other  public  gatherings,  where  be 
entertained  the  v  erdant  with  cogged  dice  and  thimble-rigging. 
It  is  believed  by  many  shrewd  old  gamblers  that  revenge  was 
the  motive  whica  induced  the  pious  Greene  to  change  his  mode  of 
life.  In  those  days  it  was  customary  for  master  sharpers  to  hire 
the  privilege  of  race  courses.  One  of  these  enterprising  worth- 
ies, named  John  Campbell,  secured,  about  1847,  the  gambling 
privilege  of  the  race-track  at  Richmond.  While  operating  with 
his  horde  of  low  sharpers  inside  in  the  gambling  booth,  several 
nomadic  brethren  of  the  lower  orders  had  opened  their  p'  nes  of 
chuck,  strap,  and  thimble-game  outside  the  track,  and  near  to 
the  gate ;  among  these  was  Greene,  who  was  running  a  small 
chuck-table.  Mr.  Campbell,  regarding  these  outsiders  in  the 
Mght  of  an  infringement  on  his  privileges,  sent  several  of  his 
hired  bullies  to  disperse  them,  "  vi  et  armis.^'  In  the  general 
melie  which  ensued,  Greene  received  a  most  unmerciful  beating. 
This  outran  upon  his  person  may  have  g<ven  him  serious 


OND. 

I  stamped  ones.  So 
)me  of  tbe  most  prac- 
themsel'.es  with  the 
hough  perfectly  well 
Elis  lectures  were  at- 
men,  astute  lawyers, 
nning  detectives,  not 
le  disciple  of  honesty; 
:aud,  but  bad  not  the 
irage,  to  expose  him. 
ich  cases,  exceedingly 
Bing  inserted  or  laid 
P7sd  him  tbe  face  of 

he  was  the  associate 
ters  who  infested  the 
im  Cincinnati  to  New 
is  gambling  seems  to 
J  games  of  short  cards 
verdant,  stamped  and 
at  '  ■  U-fours,"  poker, 

beivCT  ones.  When 
escribed,  he  followed 
gatherings,  where  be 
and  thimble-rigging, 
era  that  revenge  was 
to  change  his  mode  of 
laster  sharpers  to  hire 
e  enterprising  worth- 
t  1847,  the  gambling 
While  operating  with 
mbling  booth,  several 
)peued  their  p'  nes  of 
le  track,  and  near  to 
was  running  a  small 
hese  outsiders  in  the 
6,  sent  several  of  his 
nts."  In  the  general 
»t  unmerciful  beating, 
e  given  him  aerioos 


MonmicBS. 


S49 


notions  of  book-making,  and  made  him  bum  to  expose  tbe  prac 
tices  and  tricks  of  gamblers  to  the  whole  world ;  Z  to  mj  mbd 
the  gam  he  expected  to  get  from  his  exposition  was  quite  as  po- 
tent  a  reason  as  the  desire  for  revenge,  and  the  main  oblect  of 
his  reformation.  However,  be  that  as  it  may,  I  have  ne^er  yet 
found  a  single  gambler  willing  to  admit  that  he  ever  knew 
Greene  to  be  engaged  in  or  connected  with  any  square  game  in 
flls  life,  of  any  description  whatever,  nor  in  his  autobiography 
does  he  once  speak  of  being  connected  with  a  first-class  square 

gambler,  and  mentions  butasingle  instance  of  ever  being  in  their 
rooms,  when  he  speaks  gratefully  of  the  kind  treatment  he  there 
■  received,  and  also  of  the  gentlemanly  and  hospitable  manners  of 
Its  proprietora.  It  is  wonderful  how  this  low  and  debased  fraud 
ahould  have  deceived  some  of  the  brightest  intellectsin  tbe  coun- 
t^.    His  false  representations  again  aroused,  in  all  its  virulence. 

t„ti  A?K  ^"^  ^°'^'  P^'Dnsyl^ania.  Ohio,  Maryland,  Ken- 
tukcy,  Alabama,  Tennessee,  and  even  Congress,  for  the  District  of 

rH^^u'  ^^-^  T'^'"*  '*""'  *S^'°«*  S^'"'"?.  In  some  of  these 
States  the  dealing  of  a  ban'  ing  game  of  chance  was  punishable 
by  two  years, n  the  State',  prison;  while  in  others  the  penalty 

cZaZ  nf  S^'h  "^ '"!?'''  '"'°'*"  '"any  cases,  would  warJ 
offenders  of  the  danger  they  stood  in  fr.  m  the  law;  therefore 

m«<ori?  "^  TT  "«^«»™8  •defeated  themselves.  Finally  the 
majority  of  the  States  repealed  these  very  stringent  laws  a  few 
years  after  passing  them ;  but  in  the  States  of  New  York  Penn- 
jylvania,  Ohio,  Maiyland,  and  also  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
leSr.  ''^         statute-books,  though  virtually  a  dead 

Ihen,  ^^''^^^^^^^^^^d  jealous  are  certainly  to  be  found  Jmong 
them,aa  among  other  classes  of  men,  but  few  who  are  meanlv 
ZTw  ;rH' ^^'^'^  ^  -body, they^re  surpassed  in  gonero^ 
and  liberality  by  none.    In  the  scale  of  morals  they  will  compare 

c^me  £f'  '°V^r  '°  *''^  *''^"°*'7'  '^"^  if  th:  record  of 

sSS,  ^-  ^  ^"^^  f  r  "'^'•"''"'  «*'^"«««''  «»^«^^  that  in  our 
States  pnsons  may  be  found  men  from  every  walk  of  life  ex- 

^d  bSh  of  V  ""'  r "  '^'  ^""°^«  throughout  the  .ength 
and  breadth  of  this  great  republic.    Charias  Cora  was,  indeed, 


i 


350 


WANDKBTN08  OF  A  VAftABOKD. 


hanged  by  the  Vigilauoe  Committee  of  San  Francisco,  and  Mum- 
ford  by  a  militaiy  tribunal  in  New  Orleans;  and  the  taking-off 
of  either  of  these  men  has  never  added  much  to  the  credit  of 
their  executioners.    Richardson,  the  U.  S.  Marshal  wham  Cora 
killed,  was  a  Baltimore  Plug-Ugly,  and  a  shooter  and  stabberof 
the  first  water  ;  and  when  in  a  state  of  intoxication,  which  was 
not  seldom,  used  his  weapon  with  the  most  sublime  disregard  of 
the  safety  of  friend  or  foe.    While  on  one  of  his  periodical  sprees, 
which  always  lasted  him  three  or  four  days,  he  encountered 
Cora  at  the  Cosmopolitan  CoflTee  House,  on  Montgomery  Street, 
for  the  first  time ;  an  altercation  ensued  which  resulted  m  Rich- 
ardson's drawing  a  Derringer  and  trying  to  fire  it  at  Cora ;  but 
before  he  could  carry  out  his  design  le  was  disarmed  by  his 
friends  and  taken  away.    On  the  following  evening  the  parties 
again  met  at  the  same  place  as  before,  and,  through  the  media- 
tion of  friends,  a  reconciliation  was  effected,  and  they  drank  to- 
gether as  a  symbol  that  all  hard  feelings  were  drowned  between 
them.     Immediately  afterwards  Richardson  took  Cora  by  the 
arm  and  desired  him  to  take  a  walk  with  him,  which  the  latter 
foolishly  consented  to  do.    It  was  now  about  eight  o'clock;  the 
night  was  dark,  and  five  minutes  did  not  elapse,  after  they  start- 
ed out,  before  the  report  of  a  pistol  nmg  out  on  the  night  air, 
and  every  person  hi  the  crowd  started  for  the  spot  from  whence 
the  report  seemed  to  come.    On  arriving,  the  body  of  Richard- 
son was  discovered  lying  across  the  iron  grating  which  covered 
the  pavement  before  a  large  mercantile  establishment  one  block 
away  ftom  th  3  Cosmopolitan.    Beside  the  dead  body  c :  Richard- 
son lay  a  Derringer  pistol;  the  scabbard  of  his  bowie-knife, 
fastened  to  his  waistband,  was  empty,  the  knife  itself  i^avhig 
dropped  into  the  cellar  beneath,  where  it  was  afterwards  found. 
Cora  was  arrested,  a  few  moments  after  the  killing  was  done, 
about  a  hundred  yards  from  the  scene  of  the  tragedy.    Upon  his 
person  were  found  two  Derringers,  one  loaded  and  one  empty, 
and  showingthat  it  had  been  discharged  but  a  few  moments  since. 
This  was  the  substance  of  all  the  evidence  alleged  against  Cora 
on  the  trial,  which  took  place  while  public  opinion  was  inflamed 
against  him  to  the  highest  pitch,  lashed  by  a  licentious  press  in- 
to fury,  for  no  other  reason  except  that  Richardson  had  borne 
the  honorable   title  of  U.  S.  Marshal,  while  his  murderer  was 
nothing  in  the  estimation  of  the  people  but  a  vile  gambler.    In 


PBXJCDICE8. 


351 


[SCO,  and  Mam- 
tbe  takiug-otl 
0  the  credit  of 
lial  wham  Cora 
'  andstabberof 
;ion,  which  was 
ae  disregard  of 
;riodical  sprees, 
lie  encountered 
tgoraery  Street, 
3sulted  in  Rich- 
it  at  Cora ;  but 
lisarmed  by  his 
iing  the  parties 
mgh  the  media- 
L  they  drank  to- 
rowned  between 
ok  Cora  by  the 
(rhich  the  latter 
ght  o'clock ;  the 
after  they  start- 
in  the  night  air, 
)ot  from  whence 
(ody  of  Richard- 
g  which  covered 
bmcnt  one  block 
body  t :  Richard- 
his  bowie-knife, 
life  itself  Laving 
ifterwards  found, 
ullingwas  done, 
kgedy.    Upon  his 
and  one  empty, 
tr  moments  since, 
iged  against  Cora 
ion  was  inflamed 
sentious  press  in- 
rdson  had  borne 
lis  murderer  was 
?ile  gambler.    In 


those  days  it  was  not  customary  For  a  murderer  to  get  into  the 
witness-box  and  give  testimony  in  his  otvu  behalf;  consequently 
what  took  place  between  Cora  and  Richardson,  after  they  left 
the  Cosmopolitan  Coffee  House,  remained,  as  far  as  the  jury  and 
the  public  in  general  were  concerned,  a  profound  mystery.  But 
being,  as  I  was,  acquainted  with  both  men,  I  see  no  reason  to 
doubt  the  truth  of  the  version  given  by  Cora,  while  in  prison,  to 
Ms  friend,  James  Horton,  or  his  counsel,  Mr.  McDougal.  It  cer- 
tainly bears  to  my  niiud  every  semblance  of  truth. 

Cora's  statement  was  to  the  effect  that,  soon  after  they  reached 
the  pavement,  Richardson  brought  up  the  subject  of  their  last 
night's  dispute,  and  insisted  that  he  (Cora)  should  acknowledge 
himself  wrong  in  the  whole  matter,  which  he  emphatically  re- 
fused to  do.    This  altercation  continued  until  they  had  reached 
the  end  of  the  block,  still  walking  arm  in  arm,  and  turned  down 
a  side  street.    They  continued  thus  to  walk  forward  until  they 
had  gone  several  yards,  Richardson  still  arguing,  and  trying  to 
induce  Cora  to  acknowledge  himself  the  aggressor  on  the  night 
before.    Cora  stUl  refusing,  Richardson  suddenlv  stopped,  and 
pushing  his  companion  up  against  the  side  of  a  building,  and 
holding  him  with  his  left  hand  in  such  a  manner  that  he  could 
not  escape,  while  with  his  right  hand  he  made  a  motion  as  if  to 
draw  from  his  belt  his  bowie-knife,  and  demanded  that  he  should 
confess  he  had  done  hun  a  grievous  wrong.    Cora  said  he  had 
kept  his  own  hand  on  his  Derringer  ever  since  his  companion 
had  mooted  the  disagreeable  subject,  but  that  he  also  tried  in 
every  way  to  conciliate  him,  short  of  the  shameful  acknowledg- 
ment he  wished  to  extort  from  him.    The  moment  Richardson 
attempted  to  draw  his  knife  to  onforce  his  demands,  the  contents 
of  the  Derrmger  were  discharg    I  into  his  heart.    The  jury  fail- 
ing to  agree  on  a  verdict,  Cora  was  remanded  to  prison  to  await 
a  new  trial.    Shortly  after  these  events,  James  King,  of  Wan, 
editor  of  the  San  Francisco  Evening  BvMetin,  was  shot  down  in 
the  streets  by  one  James  P.  Casey,  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  and  the  owner  of  a  weekly  newspaper  published  in 
that  city     King  had  published  in  his  paper  a  scurrilous  article 
reflecting  on  Casey,  for  which  he  was  shot  down  by  the  latter  on 
the  street  hi  cold  blood.    TJio  indignation  caused  by  this  das- 
tardly act  culminated  in  the  organization  of  a  Vigilance  Com- 
mittee.    Its  first  act  was  to  avenge  the  death  of  King  by  hang- 


%^  -wANDERnjas  or  a  vagabond. 

log  Casey,  and,  without  the  remotest  8hado^r  -^  law  to  i^^^ 
brntaHc  ,  hung  Cora  also  with  him.    The  avo;ved  p^pose  of 
Icommittee  was  to  rid  the  city  of  its  PO^tu^l  jowdie*  and 
baUot-boxstufifera.  Cora  was  uover  ideutifl 3d  with  these  classes, 
nor  did  he  anywhere  bear  the  reputr.tion  of  a  dangerous  man. 
The  man  Mumford,  hung  by  Gen.ral  Butler  ^r  tearmg  down 
froLTho  Mint  the  United  Sta'.es  flag,  was  naturally  a  hal   idiot, 
and  what  little  brains  he  ev(,r  possessed  were  crazed  by  the  ex 
ive  use  of  liquor.    The  world  applauded  when  he  was  hang- 
ed  fortearing  down  the  flag-an  act  which  he  never  perpetraied. 
AKlSy  tended  to'theroof  of  the  Mint^^^^^^^ 
detatched  the  banner,  and  threw  it  into  tj«  ^t"'^^-    .^"^^^^^^^^ 
who  happeuod  to  be  there,  picked  it  up,  and  f  ^S^^.f  ,f  ^.^"^ 
through  ?he  muddy  street,  at  the  same  time  tearlngjt  m  pieces, 
and  ^stributing  it  in  a  braggadocio  manner  to  tb«««7^«^/« 
met.    Of  cour^  a  crowd  gathered  about  him,  and  an  army  of 
boys  followed  at  his  heels,  to  see  the  ^^^-^^^ZTJTcoZ 
lunatics  commit  such  barefaced  follies.    Butler  might  have  con- 
sidered  Mumford  a  fit  subject  of  which  to  make  an  example , 
but  if  would  have  spoken  better  for  1^"^°  nL'^hf  ?nid  o^ 
,4decl  far  more  to  the  credit  of  our  nation,  had  he,  instead  of 
consigning  the  unfortunate  wretch  to  the  rope  of  the  hangman, 

^^SS^treveT £  frorSuniry  a  more  law-abiding  class 
of  dSns  than  the  gamblers.  1  know,  in  tl^-'^oj--^^^^^^^^ 
roving  existence,  of  but  a  single  instance  of  one  ^*°8  ^°°?«JP^^* 
to  a  Vigilance  Committee  or  a  lynching  party  of  any  descnption^ 
la  our?ewStates  and  territories,  where  ^^^.^''^l^J ^J"^, 
Lpled  under  foot  the  constituted  authonty,  among  the  to 
persons  called  upon  by  the  "gbtful  officers  of  the  law  to^^^^^ 
in  sustaining  their  authority,  were  the  gamblers.  In  their  bravery 
and  lovalty  the  utmost  confidence  was  placed. 
'  In  hi  habits  the  gambler  is,  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  eve^ 
hundred,  excessively  clean.     Cleanlness  in  W^J^;*^ J^ Jj^ 
^ead  of  godliness.    Personal  purity  is  with  him  an  indispensa 
Se  necesS^y.    He  lives  on  the  best  he  can  Pro«;>"«;, J°^^«^";; 
rTunds  himLlf  and  family,  should  1  e  possess  one   w^th  every 
comfort  and  luxury  he  can  compa^.    This  i» 'rue  both  of  h« 
home  and  his  gambling-house.    He  there  treats  hi' flj«°f  ^^^ 
ie^atest  liberality  and  hospiUlity.    In  mamiers  he  is  cour- 


,w  to  jostuy  fbe 
;7ed  purpose  of 
al  rowdies  and 
h  these  classes, 
laagerous  man. 
r  tearing  down 
illy  a  half  idiot, 
azed  by  the  ex- 
lu  he  was  hang- 
ver  perpetraied. 
sllmbed  the  pcle, 
reet.    Mumford, 
gged  it  after  him 
ring  it  in  pieces, 
those  whom  he 
and  an  army  of 
one  but  fools  or 
might  have  con- 
kke  an  example ; 
f  in  general,  and 
EMi  he,  instead  of 
of  the  hangman, 

law-abiding  class 
hole  course  of  my 
I  being  concerned 
r  any  description, 
lobocracy  so  often 
',  among  the  first 
the  law,  to  assist 
1.  In  their  bravery 

cases  out  of  every 
his  creed  is  far 
dm  an  indispensa- 
procure,  and  sur- 
s  one,  with  every 
is  true  both  of  his 
Its  his  fiiends  with 
anners  he  is  cour- 


PREJinJICKS. 


353 


teous  and  affable,  and  seldom,  oven  when  young  and  Ignorant 
shows  rudeness  to  strangers  or  inoffensive  persons  of  any  de' 
scription.    Good-behavior  is  one  of  the  articles  of  his  creed. 
He  is  neat  in  his  dress,  too  often  extravagant,  and  in  youth 
generally  fond  of  display;  he  sometimes  also,  at  this  period, 
gives  way  to  dissipation,  though  to  no  greater  extent  than  other 
young  men  having  the  same  command  of  money.    When  gam- 
blers have  had  the  power  to  choose  their  customers,  and  close 
their  doors  on  such  as  were  inclined  to  ruffianly  behavior, 
crder  and  decorum  have  invariably  reigned  around  their  games. 
Even  m  the  lower  class  of  gambling-rooms,  wrangling,  blasphe- 
mous  or  obscene  language  is  not  tolerated,  and  persons  persU^ 
ing  m  behaving  themselves  with  rudeness,  or  disagreeably,  are 
shut  out,  regardless  of  wealth  or  standing,  except  in  some  cases 
where  the  gambler  dare  not  refuse  to  admit  some  bully  or  ward 
politician,  fearful  of  violence  to  his  game  from  either  themselves 
or  their  satellites.    In  the  best  order  of  gambling-houses  may 
be  met  men  of  cultivation  and  refinement,  numbers  of  whom 
move*!  the  highest  walks  of  life,  and  as  much  decorum  prevails 
among  the  guests  as  would  be  expected  in  a  partv  of  friends 
during  an  entertainment  at  the  house  of  one  of  their  number 
The  proprietor  treats  his  patrons  equally  with  the  greatest  cour- 
tesy and  consideration.     He  who  merely  bets  a  single  white 
check  is  treated  with  the  same  respectful  politeness  as  the  lord 
of  thousands  whose  bets  reach  the  limit  of  the  bank.    The  gam- 
ing-table equalizes  all  who  take  their  seats  before  it.    It  is  a 
peculiar  mart  of  trade,  where  cringing  and  flattery  are  not  a 
part  of  the  stock,  and  in  no  way  belong  to  it.    The  bankers 
treat  all  with  suavity,  conceding  to  each  his  rights  and  nothinff 
more,  and  no  banker  having  the  least  respect  for  himself  or  his 
establishment  is  ever  seen  to  display  the  smaUest  sign  of  jor  or 
pain  at  bis  gains  or  losses. 


VAromaSGB  or  i.  taoabosd. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

■WOLF-TRAPS. 

The  ground  was  strewn  with  the  many-hued  leaves  of  autm^ 
when  the  Major  and  myself  concluded  to  start  out  once  more  on 
When  to®  f*^"'  '    f    ^    t.  We  had  been  loitering  away 

rrp?i  ^m'^s  TthrheaTed  Urm  at  the  White  Sulphur 
Spring  0?  Virginia;  a  place  which,  wlthoat  being  very  enter- 
Kg,  we  found  by  no  means  beneflcia  to  our  pockeU. 

ArrSing  at  Porkopolis,  we  fomid  the  levee  crowded  with 
steamers  of  all  sizes,  many  of  the  larger  class  plying  between 
that  port  and  New  Orleans,  having  but  lately  been  re  eased  from 
the  ioorings  where  they  had  been  tied  up  dunng  the  summer 
months.  Their  appearance  at  the  wharf,  together  with  the  pi^ 
of  freight  with  which  it  was  covered,  plainly  denoted  that  navi- 
gation was  thoroughly  reopened,  without  the  corroboration  given 
to  that  fact  by  the  swelling  of  the  turbid  waters  of  t^e  O^o. 

"Jack,  would  you  like  to  take  a  stroll  among  the    Wolf- 
traps,'  sir!"  inquired  the  Major  on  the  morning  subsequent  to 

our  arrival  in  Cincinnati. 
"Wolf-traps,"  I  repeated,  "what  are  they t" 

"They  are  only  to  be  appreciated,  sir,  by  seeing  them. 

"Then  let  us  go,  by  all  means,"  I  rejoined.  . .       .„  .^. 

A  few  moments'  rapid  walk  flrom  our  hotel  brought  us  to  the 
uteamboat  landing.    We  then  turned  up  one  of  the  "de  Btreeto 
leading  from  it,  and  a  few  doors  from  the  corner  Pa«8ed  for  a 
iioment  at  the  foot  of  a  wooden  stairway.    We  ascended  8^d 
reached  a  landing  on  the  first  floor,  tmned  and  entered  a  side 
door  which  opened  into  a  long,  narrow,  and  e^ce»>^«lyjj'^ 
room,  which  could  be  divided  at  pleasure  into  two  »Par<:^ef  *! 
^sliding-doors.    The  whole  was  carpeted  with  a  dilapidated 
Btraw-matting,  and  decorated  with  several  rough  wooden  boxes 
which,  being  filled  with  sawdust,  served  as  spittoons  when  .be 
patrons  derired  to  indulge  in  expectoration.    The  front  win- 
Sows,  which  looked  upon  the  street,  wero  protected  by  green 
Venetian  blinds,  the  walls  had  at  some  remote  period  been  pa- 
nered.  Hit  were  now  so  smoked  that  the  original  pattern  was  un- 
decipherable.    They  wero  adorned  at  mtervals  by  vanous  penny 


1 

1 

I 
I 

I 

h 


tl 
b 
b 
h 

it 


saves  of  aatamn 
it  ODce  more  on 
a  loitering  away 
I  White  Sulphur 
sing  very  enter- 
pockets. 

s  crowded  with 
plying  between 
sen  released  from 
ring  the  summer 
ler  with  the  piles 
moted  that  navi- 
rroboration  given 
I  of  the  O^p. 
nong  the  'Wolf- 
ag  subsequent  to 


ling  tbem.^ 

)rought  U8  to  thd 
if  the  side  streets 
■ner  paused  for  a 
(Ve  ascended  and 
id  entered  a  side 
excessively  dirty 
0  two  apartments 
rith  a  dilapidated 
igb  wooden  boxes, 
)ittoons  when  Ihe 
The  front  win- 
rotected  by  green 
be  period  been  pa* 
al  pattern  was  un« 
s  by  various  penny 


WOLF-TRAPS. 


3S5 


glctures  tacked  to  the  wall,  as  well  as  several  Ixx  tnaaea  reore 
gating  celebrated  racers,  distinguished  generalTaS^ScZn 
steamboats,  flshhig  and  hunting  scenes,  etc.,  etc.  The  fmuitur^ 
Included  a  few  dozen  of  cane-seat  chairs,  a  poker-table  covered 
with  a  discolored  green  cloth,  and  at  the  furthest  end  of  the 
room  a  large  faro  ditto,  also  covered  with  the  usual  green 
cloth  on  which  now  reposed  a  lay-out,  a  set  of  chips,  and  a 
card-box.  Agamst  one  side  of  the  front  room  stood  a  strong 
oaken  side-board,  which  had  long  since  seen  its  best  days  and 
on  It  rested  a  wooden  pail  filled  with  water,  in  which  a  gourd 
swam  invitingly  for  those  who  desired  to  quench  their  thirst- 
tho  only  entertainment  of  any  sort  which  the  establishment 
Offered  to  its  patrons.  But  on  the  ground  floor  flourished  a 
coffee-house,  which  dispensed  to  all  who  desired  both  heating 
and  cooling  beverages,  and  the  "trap"  maintained  a  sable  at- 
tendant to  receive  the  money  of  its  patrons,  and  procure  for 
them  its  equivalent  in  whatever  refreshments  they  miirht  re- 
quire.  " 

Casting  our  eyes  over  the  room,  we  perceived  that  but  three 
persons  were  present  there,  besides  ourselves,  the  hour  being,  as 
yet,  too  early  for  customers.  One  of  these  was  a  little  dried-up 
fellow,  about  fifty  years  of  age,  of  a  swarthy  visage  and  smaU 
black  eyes,  and  bushy  whiskers  of  the  same  raven  hue.  When 
he  perceived  us,  he  came  forward  quickly  and  shook  the  Major 
warmly  by  the  hand. 

"Glad  to  see  you  looking  so  well,  Mr.  Bobbins,"  said  the 
polite  M{^or. 

"I  don't  feel  so,  sir,"  returned  the  person  addressed,  in  alugu- 
brious  tone,  and  with  a  doleful  shake  of  the  head. 

"  No  I  You  PUiprise  me !  What's  the  matter,  sir  t"  inquired  the 
Major. 

"D— n  bad  here,"  ejaculated  the  moody  gentleman,  thumnlnir 
himself  on  the  chest. 
"  Well,  sir !  if  health's  bad,  trade  must  be  good,  eh.  Bobbins  f» 
'No!  no!  no  it  ain't,  Major!  It's  very  bad,  sir,"  replied 
that  worthy,  speaking,  if  possible,  in  a  more  doleful  strain  than 
before.  "  We  hain't  made  a  winning  in  ten  days;  every  bank's 
been  broken  as  fast  as  'twas  put  up,  and  we've  put  up  more'n  a 
hundred,  I'll  bet." 

"  Can  they  do  it  always!"  inquired  the  M^or,  with  a  show  of 
interest. 


356 


WANDKMNGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


« It  seems  so,"  whined  Bobbins.    "  D-n  me  If  I  don't  Miwe 
the  house  Is  'hoo-dood.'    But  where  have  you  been  so  long? 

he  asked. 
"  In  Virginia,"  replied  the  Mt^jor. 

"After  lieerds?"  j  .    v  -i 

"No       '  I'v        e  no  gambling;  have  been  engaged  in  busi- 

nnaa  "  ar    -"Tf-ti  li'd  Major,  drily.  .  „  , . , 

^TouV  .^.  <T  -  M^or,  you  are,"  said  the  doleful  Robbins, 
with  a  shak.  oC  >.li  I  -■  'd,  and  bringing  to  his  face  a  sort  of  sickly 
half-wav  smuo.  "Bu  ">n't  you  know  my  partner  here,  Mr. 
Simons!"  he  Inquired,  poui.  ng  to  a  bald-headed,  heavy-set  gen- 
tleman, who  was  dexterously  balancing  himself  on  the  ex  reme 
tips  of  the  two  back  legs  of  his  chair,  and  pretendmg  to  occupy 
hhnself  with  a  newspaper.  „ 

"Haven't  the  pleasure,  but  you  will  introduce  me,  I  hope, 

"*.?JS;'sfmZ"JSis''£els  my  old  friend,  M^or  Jenks,  and  he's 

'  X\Tdowlng  elgy,  the  Major  was  shaken  energetically 
bylS^  hS,  Sr.  Simons  expressed  his  pleasure  at  becoming 
acquainted  with  such  an  accomplished  trump. 

"Mr  Johnstone,  Major,"  said  Mr.  Robbm8,insuch  atoneashe 
wouW  have  used  had  he  been  informing  him  of  the  death  of  his 
deTrest  friend,  and  waving  his  hand  towards  a  coarse,  broad- 
loSrerhard-flsted  specimen  of  the  genus  lumo,  who  had 
not,  since  our  entrance,  ceased  for  one  moment  to  walk  the 
SSr  up  and  down,  as  if  doing  it  on  time,  for  a  wager.    No  cla^ 
ofThe  human  family  was  more  disgusting  to  the  Major  ban  the 
bruiser  tribe,  and  our  late  experience  in  New  York  had  not 
greatly  tended  to  soften  his  prejudices,  to  say  the  eaat.    The 
SrZal  appearance  of  Mr.  Johnstone  bore  the  mdelible  stamp 
rhTorder  His  mien,  gait,  and  every  action  declared  it  to  the 
straneer  even  If  It  were  not  for  his  scarified  face,  on  which  was 
s^TSy  written  the  annals  of  many  a  rough-and-tumble  flgh, 
toat  he  who  saw  might  read ;  but  the  Major  never  allowed  h  s 
p^ldlls  to  overcome  his  politeness,  and  of  course  acknowl- 
Sged  the  favor  of  Mr.  Johnstone's  acquaintance,  with  his  usual 

*"'"  tt'fallers  better  folks  should  know  one  anotheI^''  remarked 
Mr.  Bobbins,  in  a  lugubrious  tone,  after  the  hand-shaktag  attend- 
ant on  this  ceremony  had  been  performed. 


If  1  don't  boliore 
a  been  soloagf" 


engaged  in  busl- 

I  doleful  Robbins, 
se  a  flort  of  sickly 
artner  here,  Mr. 
d,  heavy-set  gen- 
ilf  on  the  extreme 
lending  to  occupy 

luce  me,  I  hope," 

orJenks,  andhe's 

iken  energetically 
asure  at  becoming 

isuch  a  tone  as  be 
r  the  death  of  his 
3  a  coarse,  broad- 
is  }u>mo,  who  had 
ment  to  walk  the 
t  wager.  No  class 
;he  Major  than  the 
)w  York  had  not 
ly  the  least.  The 
le  indelible  stamp 
a  declared  it  to  the 
ace,  on  which  was 
i-and-tumble  fight, 
never  allowed  his 
f  course  acknowl- 
ince,  with  his  usual 

mother,"  remarked 
nd-shaking  attend- 


WOLF-XRAfg. 


357 


"Very  properly  so,  sir,"  answered  the  Ma^or. 

In  these  ceremonies  of  presentation  I  was  left  entirely  out  in 
the  cold.  The  M^ur  had  either  altogether  forgotten  me,  or 
thought  mo  unworthy  to  bo  proseutcd  to  his  friends,  or,  what  I 
believe  to  be  quite  as  likely,  did  not  consider  that  I  wuuld  bo  in 
any  way  bouoflted  by  their  acquaiatance.  Be  that  as  it  may,  my 
temper  was  in  no  degree  ruSlcd  by  the  slight. 

I  now  amused  myself  by  scanning  the  patrons  of  the  place, 
who  were  fiist  filling  the  room,  and  a  motley  gathering  they  were, 
both  in  dress  and  personal  appearance.  Among  them  were  men 
of  all  ages,  from  those  in  early  youth  to  those  whose  hair  was 
white  with  the  snows  of  many  winters.  Some  were  dressed  in 
seedy  garments,  some  few  plainly  and  tastefully,  some  slovenly, 
and  many  foppishly ;  over  the  persons  of  this  latter  class  was 
distributed  a  profusion  of  jewelry,  some  of  it  the  ".Simon  pure" 
article,  while  the  flashy  pinchbeck  chains,  rings  and  breastpins, 
which  disfigured  many  of  them,  marked  their  status  in  the  com- 
munity more  plainly  than  words  could  possibly  do.  The  majority 
were  men  occupying  various  positions  on  the  steamboats  plying 
on  the  river ;  for  instance,  cooks,  stewards,  mates,  pilots,  and 
engineers.  There  was  also  to  be  seen  a  considerable  sprinkling 
of  residents  of  the  place  representing  the  rowdy  element  in  force, 
besides  some  mechanics,  loafers  and  pot-house  political  spouters, 
and  others  of  like  grades  and  callings.  The  better-behaved 
amongst  them  sat  quietly  looking  about  them,  or  reading  the 
newspapers,  while  the  younger  and  better-dressed  portion  of 
the  crowd  gathered  about  the  faro-table,  where  they  discussed 
their  own  bad  luck,  the  merits  of  fast  women,  fighting  men, 
race-horses,  river  steamers,  and  a  hundred  kindred  subjects.  Their 
conversation  was  garnished  by  many  terrible  oaths  and  obscene 
expressions.  "  Who'll  open  a  snap  f "  was  the  oft-repeated  ques- 
tion of  the  crowd,  and  every  time  the  doer  was  opened,  or  foot- 
steps were  heard  ascending  the  stairs,  all  eyes  were  turned  in 
that  direction,  in  hopes  it  was  some  one  who  was  in  the  habit  of 
setting  up  a  bank  there.  At  length  their  patience  was  rewarded 
by  the  appearance  upon  the  scene  of  a  slight,  dandefied-looking 
inividual,  who  was  received  with  a  yell  of  delight  from  the  de- 
lectable crowd  assembled  round  the  faro-table,  while  several 
screamed  at  the  tops  of  their  voices,  "  Here's  Marks;  we'll  have 
a  bank  nowl"  The  gentleman  whose  arrival  had  raised  thisebul- 


358  WAND1.MN0B  0»  A  VAOABOSD. 

Ution  of  feeling,  and  who  waa  now  the  centre  of  attraction  to  all 
parties  present,  waa  dreaaed  in  a  ratlier  genteel  manner,  and 
wore  around  hia  neck  a  heavy  gold  chain,  and  a  fljie  brilliant 
sparkled  in  his  olalx)ralely-cmbroidored  ahirt  front.    He  held  iu 
his  hand  a  Buiall  gold-heuded  cane,  and  advanced  into  the  room 
and  up  to  that  end  of  it  occupied  by  the  faro-table  and  Its  ap- 
purtenances, with  a  perfectly  blank  face,  and  took  no  more  no- 
tice of  the  yelling,  screeching  audience,  than  if  he  had  been  the 
sole  occupant  of  the  room.    Without  bestowing  on  any  person 
the  smallest  sign  of  recognition,  he  coolly  divested  himself  of  his 
coat,  folded  It  up  carefully,  and  handed  It  to  Mr.  Robblns.    Ha 
now  for  the  first  time  acknowledged  the  presence  of  his  onthu- 
Blastlc  audience,  and  aald,  contemptuously,  "  Yes,  I'll  give  you  a 
bank  that  '11  make  yer  sick,  yer  rascals !"  which  polite  speech  was 
rece'  /ed  with  a  yell  of  approbation  by  the  gentlemen  assembled 
about  the  poker-table.    Ho  then  moved  with  a  kind  of  slmffle 
towards  the  deallng-chalr,  and  having  fixed  himself  there  to  hla 
satisfaction,  he  took  with  hla  thumb  and  finger,  from  his  vest 
pocket,  a  half  eagle,  which  he  tossed  on  the  table  with  the  ut- 
most "sangfroid,"  at  the  same  time  crying  out " Here,  Robblns, 
Klve  us  'flab'  for  thls.'^  According  to  custom,  that  worthy  count- 
ed him  out  from  the  piles  of  checks  on  the  table  Ave  dollars,  w- 
suing  them  at  five  cents  apiece.    When  he  had  set  Mr.  Marks 
bank  aside,  be  handed  him  a  dealing-box  and  a  pack  of  cards. 
The  latter  shuffled  these  according  to  the  most  approved  method, 
and  placed  them  in  the  dealing-box,  and  during  this  operation 
neither  8poke,nor  hi  any  way  noticed,  even  so  much  as  oy  a  look, 
any  one  around  him.    Silence  waa  evidently  Mr.  Marks'  <  beat 
holt."    When  ready  to  receive  company,  he  addressed  his  au- 
dience In  the  following  polite  strain:  "Gentlemen,  I  don't  want  no 
flghtln'  at  this  'ere  game,  nor  no  'queer'  played  In  on  me.   Steal 
everybody's  checks  but  mine,  and  now,  ye  d— n  rascals,  pitch  In. 
Anxious  to  have  a  good  view  of  what  was  going  forward,  I  man- 
aged to  make  my  way  next  the  wall  until  I  got  near  the  dealer; 
but  not  before  an  indignant  gentleman  whom  I  had  crowded, 
and  who  had  been  in  close   communion  with   the  whiskey 
bottle,  desirea  to  be  informed  "where  the  h-1  I  was  working 
to."    From  the  position  I  had  gained  I  could  aurvey  the  acciio 
at  leiaure:  and  it  waa  one  to  which  only  the  pencil  of  a  Hogarth 
could  have  done  justice.    Seated  and  standing  in  every  Imagm- 


t). 

t  attraction  to  all 
«el  manner,  aud 
id  a  fi;ie  brilliant 
rent.    He  held  in 
ced  into  the  room 
■table  and  its  ap- 
took  no  more  no- 
f  ho  had  been  the 
ng  on  any  person 
8tod  himself  of  hia 
Mr.  Robbins.    Ha 
ince  of  his  onthu- 
les,  I'll  give  you  a 
J  polite  speech  was 
itlemen  assembled 
I  a  kind  of  shuffle 
imself  there  to  hia 
iger,  from  his  vest 
table  with  the  ut- 
it "  Here,  Robbins, 
that  worthy  count- 
ble  five  dollars,  is- 
lad  set  Mr.  Marks' 
id  a  pack  of  cards. 
;  approved  method, 
ring  this  operation 
much  as  by  a  look, 
Mr.  Marks'  "  best 
addressed  bis  au- 
nen,  I  don't  want  no 
ed  in  on  me.   Steal 
n  rascals, pitch  in!" 
ing  forward,  I  man- 
ot  near  the  dealer ; 
)m  I  had  crowded, 
with   the  whiskey 
h— 1  I  was  working 
Id  survey  the  scene 
pencil  of  a  Hogarth 
Qg  in  every  imagiu- 


WOW-TRAPS. 

able  attitude  around  the  table,  were  tiers  of  men,  the  hindmost 
row  standing  on  tip-toe,  and  all  watchmg  with  intense  interest 
the  events  of  the  play.  Iminodiatoly  around  the  tiiblo  were  at 
least  forty  porsoiiH,  of  variouH  miens,  shapes,  ages,  and  complex- 
ions, and  those  among  them  who  were  hut  spectators  of  the 
game  watched  its  tiuctuations  with  the  same  intense  interest  a« 
those  who  were  hazarding  their  mouey  upon  it. 

The  banker  started  ofl'  a  winner,  which  did  not  seem  to  Im- 
prove the  temper  of  some  of  his  patrons.  While  the  dealer  was 
making  his  turn  profound  silence  reigned,  and  the  suppressed 
breathing  of  the  players,  and  the  sound  of  the  curds  as  they  glid- 
ed from  the  box,  were  the  only  sounds  audible;  but  the  moment 
the  turn  was  finished,  every  tongue  broke  loose,  and  a  clamor, 
before  which  that  of  ancient  Babel  might  hide  its  diminished 
head,  ensued.  The  most  awfully  bhisphomous  language  would 
be  uttered  against  fortune,  by  mm  who  had  lost  but  one  or -two 
five-cent  checks.  To  the  cursing,  wrangling,  and  squabbling 
about  the  ownership  of  checks,  the  imperturbal,!o  Marks  paid  nrt 
the  smallest  attention.  Occasionally  he  would  remonstrate 
when  some  one  detained  the  game  in  placing  or  exchanging  his 
checks,  then  ho  would  bring  his  fist  down  on  the  table,  with  a 

",?'}"'^'1,."P'  ^~^  y®'    ^"  y^*"  ^^°^  *»  J^eep  a  gentleman  hero 
all  nay  t" 

"There  I  go,  again!"  shrieked  out  a  well-dressed  youth,  who 
occupied  a  trout  seat  at  the  table,  and  who  was  betting  one  or 
two  flve-ccL  checks  at  a  time.  "By  G_d!  that's  the  seventh 
straight  bet  I've  lost,"  he  cried,  looking  around  for  svmpathy. 
Ter  too  windy,  Grummy,"  said  an  elderly  gentleman  seated 
near  him. 

"Am  If'  half  screamed  Grummy.  "  If  you'd  lost  half  the  bets 
I  have  within  the  last  two  months,  you'd  be  in  a  lunatic  asylum 
before  now !"  ' 

"Where  d'ye  get  yer  money  t  I  never  seed  yer  work  none  I" 
demanded  a  squealing  voice  fi-om  the  crowd. 

"I  get  it  with  my  tongue,  yer  dirty  lad !"  retorted  the  elegant 
Mr.  Grummy.  "If  you  had  ter  git  youm  that  way,  ye'd  starved 
to  death  long  ago." 

"I  thought  you  pinched  pockets  for  it,"  retorted  the  squealing 
voice.  * 

"  No  I  he  dusen't  do  nothing  o'  the  kind,"  sung  out  a  voice  from 


HQ  WANDEKINQS  OP  A   VAOAHOKD. 

the  outward  circle    "bo's  got  au  IndustrlouB  gal,  an'  she  allers 
hocls  him  to  a  stake  In  ther  mornlii'."  ,„„„k» 

Tbl8  Hully  was  received  with  roars  of  laughter  from  the  delight- 
ed crowd   and  brought  Mr.  Oruramy  up  all  standing.    Bogging 
mone?,  oi  borrowing  money  under  fuUo  F^t^rf/'^  t^tX 
comi.ll«hment  among  the  men  of  Mr.  Grummys  '' ««*'   b"*/°  J* 
publicly  accused  of  being  a  thief  and  of  being  a  dopcndont  upon 
?ho  bounty  of  his  lady-lovo,  was  more  than  flesh  ;°*lb^d  could 
Btand     "Come  down  stairs,  yo  dirty  loafers,  and  111  slow  ye 
where  I  gets  my  money,"  ro..red  the  exasperated  gen  lemau, 
wildly  flourishing  his  clenched  Hsts  above  his  head,  and  'nvlt- 
Tng  his  assallanrs  to  come  and  got  their  ^^^\'^^f^^   ^^ 
one  gentleman  was  about  to  accept  ths  polite  Invltat^n^^  and 
several,  others  started  to  follow,  to  see  fair  P'f '  f  •/°'^"«'«"« 
made  his  appearance  on  the  scene.    Ho  took  hold  of  the  bel  - 
getent  Mr.  Grummy  by  the  shoulders,  and  forced  him  Into  hU 
Lt,  and  then  Informed  him,  In  the  mildest  and  mos    dulcet  of 
voices,  that  If  he  heard  another  word  from  him  he'd  pitch  him 
head-foremost  down  stairs.  «„„ii. 

The  bank  struggled  hard  for  an  existence,  but  was  finally 
obliged  tosnccumbtocapltal.    Without  allowing  his  111  successto 
ruffle  his  temper,  Mr.  Marks  quietly  took  out  what  money  was 
iu  the  card-box,  lu  order  to  redeem  his  check  ;  meanwhile 
several  piles  were  shoved  under   his  noso  for  •  redemption. 
When  he  had  surveyed  them  for  a  moment,  he  turned  to  their 
owners  and  said,  "  You've  been  dealing  with  thieves  so  long,  you 
don't  know  a  gentleman  when  you  see  one.    Take  them  checks 
back,  and  keep  'em  till  your  turn  comes,  or  you  don't  get  a  cent, 
you  ^oundrels!  Do  you  hear!"    They  did  hear,  and  obeyed, 
ilthout  showing  any  signs  of  rebellion.    Whoever  Marks  was,  it 
seemed  the  rough  element  obeyed  and  respected  him.    When  he 
had  redeemed  his  checks,  Bobbins  handed  him  his  coat,  which 
he  put  on,  seized  his  gold-headed  caue  in  his  left  hand,  and,  with 
a  flourish  of  his  right,  thus  addressed  his  patrons :    "Gentlemen, 
as  mv  term  of  office  has  now  expired,  allow  me  to  thank  you  for 
your' generous  patronage,  and  also  to  carry  away  with  me  the 
remembrance  of  the  happy  moments  I  have  passed  in  your 
society.    This  speech  was  received  with  boisterous  cheering, 
during  which  Mr.  Marks  shuffled  himself  out  of  the  room. 
Another  dealer  now  put  up  a  ten  dollar  bank,  which  was  bro- 


I,  an'  Bbe  alien 

om  the  dollght- 
ding.    BogglDg 
I,  was  a  rare  ac- 
'  set,"  but  to  be 
dependent  upon 
and  blood  could 
nd  I'll  show  yo 
ited  gentleman, 
load,  ond  invlt- 
i  Bmashcd.     As 
Invitation,  and 
r,  Mr.  Jobnstone 
old  of  the  belll- 
■ced  blm  into  bis 
I  most  dulcet  of 
u  be'd  pitch  bim 

but  was  finally 
;  bis  ill  success  to 
ivbat  money  was 
jck  ;  meanwbile 
for  •  redemption. 
J  turned  to  tbolr 
ieves  so  long,  you 
ake  them  checks 
I  don't  get  a  cent, 
ear,  and  obeyed, 
voT  Marks  was,  it 
d  blm.    When  he 
1  his  coat,  which 
ft  hand,  and,  with 
IS :    "  Gentlemen, 
B  to  thank  you  for 
iway  with  rae  the 
e  passed  in  your 
isterous  cheering, 
f  the  room, 
k,  which  was  bro- 


WOLK-TUAPH. 


361 


ken  on  the  first  deal.  The  next  bank  was  a  twenty-five  dollar 
one,  which  was  also  soon  broken.  By  this  time  It  appeared  a 
heavier  claas  of  players  had  entered  the  place,  and  to  make  room 
for  tbom  at  the  table,  the  "crabbers'"  were  forced  to  vacate,  by 
order  of  Mr.  Kobbins.  One  dissatisflcvl  gentleman  ventured  to 
remonstrate  against  the  making  invidious  •listinctions,  by  saying 
that  a  gentleman  was  entitled  to  his  seat,  »o  long  as  he  bad  a 
check,  but  in  defiance  of  this  opinion  ho  was  seized  by  the  re- 
doubtable Johnstone,  and  dragged  from  his  chair ;  after  which 
he  spun  the  unfortunate  "champion  o'  the  rights  of  ♦»!«  weaker" 
around  the  room  like  a  top;  a  warning  beacon  to  all  wno  had  not 
learned  that  rig.,t  is  always  with  the  strongest  party. 

Several  banks  were  successively  broken,  and  as  each  banker 
retired  discomfited,  the  cry  would  arise,  "Room  for  another." 
"Who  nextt"  The  chair  was  finally  occupied  by  a  man  clad  in 
an  unexceptionable  coat  of  brown  cloth,  pants  of  the  same  ma- 
terial, and  a  white  linen  vest.  He  rejoiced  in  an  elaborately 
ruffled  shirt,  and  his  head  was  topped  by  an  expensi\'e  Panama 
hat.  He  was  burdened  with  a  superfluous  amount  of  jewelry, 
comprising  a  long  gold  neck -chain,  fob-chain,  diamond  pin,  and 
several  diamond  rings  on  bis  fingers.  This  gentleman,  from  ap- 
pearance, was  about  forty  years  of  age.  His  frame  was  slender, 
and  though  not  above  the  middle  height,  stooped  considerably 
firom  the  shoulders,  and  ungainly  in  appearance.  Ills  complex- 
ion was  nearly  as  dark  as  that  of  an  Indian,  and  since  I  have  seen 
the  many  Cherokee  half-breeds,  I  am  certain  he  was  one  of  the 
gamblers  of  that  caste,  who  made  their  homes  In  the  Indian 
Territory.  His  eyes  were  dark  and  piercing,  his  eyebrows  arched 
and  bushy,  while  bis  head  was  covered  by  a  thick  shock  ol 
coarse  black  hair.  Nobody  seemed  to  recognize  him,  nor  did 
he  speak  to  any  one,  so  that  evidently  he  was  a  total  stranger  in 
the  place.  When  he  had  taken  from  an  inside  pocket  a  large 
roll  of  bank-bills,  he  counted  out  $300,  and  handed  to  Mr. 
Robbins  as  his  bank  money,  telling  him  that  he  desired  the 
denomination  of  his  checks  to  be  25  cents.  This  was  considered 
a  very  large  bank  at  the  "trap,"  and  some  of  the  smaller 
players  began  to  remonstrate  about  the  price  of  the  checks, 
which  caused  some  spicy  con-  rsation  between  them  and  thoe« 
who  desired  to  be  considered  '  heavy  rollers,"  to  ensue.  Noth- 
ing is  more  annoytog  to  young  bank  players,  or  will  gall  them 


3d2 


WANDKUINGS  OF  A  VAGABO^'D. 


worse  or  more  quickly,  than  to  be  called  "pikers,"  or  "orab- 
bers,"  or  "ciieck-sweaters'- -words  almost  syuouymous,  and 
meaaiug  a  person  who  bets  one  or  two  white  checks  at  a  time; 
these  are  termed  "pikers"  and  "crabbers,"  while  the  "chock- 
sweater"  or  "check- charmer"  holds  in  his  hand  a  few  white 
checks,  a3  an  excuse  to  keep  his  seat  at  the  table,  which  he 
does  more  i  i  expectation  of  pouncing  upon  the  sleepers  belong- 
ing to  the  other  players,  than  of  winning  anything  from  the 
bank  himself. 

Compared  with  the  banks  previously  set  up,  the  new  one  had 
quite  a  lively  game,  none  of  the  previous  ones  being  over  <J25. 
Several  $10  and  $15  bets  were  npade,  and  a  few  as  high  as  $20. 
The  sight  of  the  stranger's  money  had  nerved  some  of  the  more 
adventurous  spirits  to  go  for  it.  Hidden  money  was  brought 
out  of  secret  pockets,  where  it  had  lain  "  perdu."  A  now  class 
of  players  appeared  on  the  scene,  more  venturesome  and  better- 
behavod.  Several  of  the  more  noisy  "crabbers"  were  driven 
from  their  seats  to  make  room  for  these,  and  the  game  now  be- 
came very  exciting. 

Among  the  new  arrivals  was  a  tall,  powerful  man,  well,  but 
plainly  dressed,  and  aged  about  thirty  years.  His  swarthy  vis- 
age, and  dark,  sinister  expression,  was  in  no  way  improved  by  an 
ugly  scar  on  his  forehead  and  another  reaching  from  his  ear  to 
the  corner  of  his  mouth.  Ho  was  accompanied  by  two  stalwart 
companions,  who  addressed  him  as  Ned,  and  who  were  assisting 
him,  and  directing  him  bow  to  bet  his  money.  It  was  "  Ned, 
bet  on  the  five — ^it  hasn't  lost  yet;"  or  "Ned,  cramp  the  queen 
with  a  few  dollars — she's  a  hummer;"  or  "Ned,  put  me  a  couple 
of  dollars  on  the  Jack;"  or  remarks  of  Iiko  significance.  Ned 
stood  before  the  table  with  a  large  roll  of  bills  in  his  hands,  of 
the  denominations  principally  of  ones  and  twos.  When  his  com- 
panions told  him  to  lay  a  bet,  he  did  so ;  and  when  they  asked 
foi  money,  ho  gave  it  to  them,  and  did  not  once  open  his  mouth 
to  ask  a  question  or  make  a  reply.  But  neither  himself  nor  his 
friends  could  pick  out  winning  cards,  nor  could  any  other  per- 
son, scarcely ;  for  the  long,  bony  fingers  of  the  Indian  were  rak- 
ing in  everything  before  him  in  the  shape  of  or  of  the  name  of 
money.  The  roll  of  bills  in  the  fingers  of  "Ned"  was  rapidly 
dwindling  away,  but  he  still  controlled  the  fiery  passion  which 
burned  within  him,  increasing  in  fury  m  bis  losses  increased, 


'pikers,"  or  "orab- 
;  syuouymous,  and 
3  checks  at  a  time; 

while  the  "chock- 
)  hand  a  few  white 
;he  table,  which  he 
the  sleepers  belong- 

auything  from  the 

ip,  the  new  one  had 
aes  being  over  <^25. 
few  as  high  as  $20. 
id  some  of  the  more 
money  was  brought 
irdu."  A  now  class 
aresome  and  better- 
bbers"  were  driven 
1  the  game  now  be- 

erful  man,  well,  but 
1.  His  swarthy  vis- 
(vay  improved  by  an 
ling  from  his  ear  to 
lied  by  two  stalwart 
I  who  were  assisting 
ney.  It  was  "Ned, 
d,  cramp  the  queen 
■ed,  put  me  a  couple 
)  significance.  Ned 
)ills  in  his  hands,  of 
'OS.  When  his  com- 
nd  when  they  asked 
3nce  open  his  mouth 
ther  himself  nor  his 
ould  any  other  per- 
he  Indian  were  rak- 
f  or  of  the  name  of 
"Ned"  was  rapidly 
fiery  passion  which 
lis  losses  iucreafied, 


WOLF-TBAI'S. 


963 


and  he  saw  his  bets  one  after  another  picked  up  from  the  lav 
out  by  the  supple  fingers  of  the  dealer  without  a  woS  or  s  an 
untU  finally  he  held  in  his  hand  the  last  remaining  note  o  S 
roll     It  ^^^s  a  one  dollar  bill.    Ao  he  stood  before  the  lly  ou 
he  twisted    his  absently  into  a  cord,  savagely  staring  It  the 
automaton  dealer  the  while,  whose  eyes  wfre  on  the^lay-out 
and  were  covered  from  the  sight  of  the  spectators  bv  the  Pan- 
ama  hat,  which  was  slouched  over  his  brows.    In  this  position 
he  patiently  awaited  the  disposal  of  his  last  bet  by  "Ned" 
'You  want  this  too.  do  you?"  he  hissed  between  his  teeSi 

muJle.Th^  ''  °'"^''"  "^^'^^  ^'"^  ^^yrevly,  nor  moved  a 
muscle  J  the  former  continued  in  the  same  intemperate  manner, 
still  shaking  before  his  face  the  twisted-up  b=U.  "You've  won 
forty  dollars  from  me  without  paying  me  a  single  bet.  See  if  you 
can  win  that,  you  d-n  thief!"  At  the  same  moment  he  iced 
rhe  bill,  wisted  as  it  was,  behind  the  nine.  Amidst  a  death  like 
silence  the  dealer  made  his  tm-n.     The  cards  could  be  heard 

his teafh.''  '  ''"  ''"'"  *''  '"^-  ^''''  ''''  seemed  to  hold 
The  biU  lost.  Ned  snatched  it  up,  tore  it  into  small  bits,  flun- 
one  to  the  imperturbable  dealer  and  one  to  himself  aUernatei; 
at  the  same  time  hissing  between  his  clenched  teeth,  "You  take 
that,  and  I'll  take  this."  at  every  fragment 

"Your  conduct,"  said  the  Indian,  calmly,  for  the  first  time 
looking  up,  ",s,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  very  ungentlemanl^" 
Quick  as  thought,  the  ruffian  seized  the  dealing-box,  and  with 
It  struck  him  a  fearful  blow  on  the  mouth,  which  felled  h^m 
senseless  to  the  floor ;  while  from  the  cut  on  his  upper  lip,  caused 
by  the  sharp  edge  of  tlie  box,  the  blood  spurted  out  profusely 
Srmons  picked  up  the  prostrate  man,  and  reseated  hL  in  h£ 
chair  The  blood  was  flowing  in  a  stream  from  his  lip,  and  his 
first  act  on  regaming  consciousness,  was  to  make  a  motion  to 
put  his  hand  behind  him.  Those  who  observed  this  movemem 
conceived  the  idea  that  he  was  trying  to  get  hold  of  a  S 
to  Ittp'^'Sf  "^  ^^'^"  ^""^^  «"^'  "Look  out,  Ned,  he's  go S 
bosom  of  hil  V  r'!;'  ™™ediately  plunged  his  hand  int^o  h^ 
lZ7.  f  I  '^'  ^"^  ^  ^«  P'*'^^'^"^  withdrew  it,  the  white 
hand  e  of  a  bowie-knife  was  seen  to  project,  which  he  imme 
diately  replaced  onmaking  the  discover^  that  he  weapoVwS 


884 


WANDBBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


m 


IK 


the  lAdian  was  trying  to  draw  was  nothing  more  formidable 
than  a  white  pocket-handkerchief. 

At  this  stage  of  the  affair,  several  of  those  belonging  to  Ned's 
party  rushed  in  out  of  the  front  room  with  the  cry  that  "the 
police  are  coming!"  "Let's  leave,  Ned!"  etc.  Mr.  Johnstone 
now  interfered  for  the  first  time,  and  entreated  "  Ned"  to  leave 
before  he  was  "nabbed"  by  the  police.  The  rooms  were  nearly 
deserted  by  the  people  who  a  fevv  moments  before  had  crowded 
them  to  suffocation,  and  when  "\ed"  and  his  companions  had 
left  the  place,  it  contained  no  other  c  oants  but  Simons,  Rob- 
bins,  Johnstone,  the  injured  man,  the  Mjyor,  and  myself  This 
speeay  riddance  of  the  crowd  was  due  to  a  custom  of  the  police, 
who  were  in  the  habit  of  arresting  every  person  whom  they 
found  in  a  "trap,"  if  called  in  to  suppress  a  row.  The  Major, 
being  fully  aware  of  this,  i»ied  to  drag  me  from  the  place  as 
soon  as  the  dealer  was  struck,  but  I  was  determined  to  see  the 
end  of  the  adventure,  and  the  generous  old  fellow,  sooner  than 
leave  me  alone,  remained  with  me. 

The  injured  man,  unable  lO  make  any  response  to  the  kind  in- 
quiries of  Robbins  and  Simons  after  his  hurts,  could  only  sit 
with  his  handkerchief  pressed  over  the  wound.  Robbins  settled 
up  the  game,  which  had  won  about  $180,  and  after  deducting 
the  ten  per  cent,  due  the  house,  handed  over  the  balance  to  its 
owner,  who  put  it  in  the  pocket  of  hli  pants,  and  immediately 
left  the  house,  holding  his  handkerchief  up  .to  his  mouth. 

"There,  Mtljor!  Don't  you  think  we're  treated  very  badly t" 
inquired  the  irrepressible  Robbins,  the  instant  the  door  had 
closed  on  his  retreating  form,  with  his  habitual  whining  tone. 

"Yes,  sir!"  answered  the  Major,  "but  I  think  that  unfortun- 
ate gentleman  who  has  just  left  us  has  been  treated  an  infernal 
Bight  worse. 

"Treated  h— 1!"  rejoined  Mr.  Robbins,  contemptuously. 
"What's  a  fight  to  breaking  up  a  man's  bnsiness?  An'  to  be 
treated  so  by  yer  friends  too,  it's  devilish  shabby,  certain,"  said 
the  vhluous  Mr.  Robbins,  in  a  very  injured  and  desponding 
manner. 

"Ned  La  Grange  is  as  good  a  feller  es  ever  walked  the  airth, 
but  yer  see,  Robbins,  he's  lost  a  power  o'  money  here  lately,  and 
it  makes  'im  cross  as  a  b'ar,"  apologized  Mr.  Johnstone. 
The  M^jor  and  myself  now  took  our  leave,  and  reached  the 


Qore  formidable 

onging  to  Ned's 
6  cry  that  "the 
Mr.  Johnstone 
"Ned"  to  leave 
oms  were  nearly 
ire  had  crowded 
companions  bad 
»ut  Simons,  Rob- 
id  myself.  This 
om  of  the  police, 
fson  whom  they 
m.  The  Major, 
om  the  place  as 
nined  to  see  the 
low,  sooner  than 

Be  to  the  kind  in- 
s,  could  only  sit 
Bobbins  settled 
[  after  deducting 
he  balance  to  its 
and  immediately 
lis  mouth, 
ted  very  badly  t" 
at  the  door  had 
whinisg  tone. 
)k  that  unfortun- 
eated  an  infernal 

contemptuously, 
inessf  An'  to  be 
»by,  certain,"  said 
i  and  desponding 

walked  the  airth, 
y  here  lately,  and 
ahnstone. 
and  reached  the 


WOLP-TEAPS. 


a65 


street  without  encountering  any  officers.  "And  that's  what  von 
call  the  wolf-trap,  is  itf  ^^  ^°^ 

"That's  one  of  them,  sir." 

agh^"'*  ^"'^  ""^"^  '""''  *^'  ^*'^'  ^*"  ^*^''  '^«'"  I  mvAua, 
;'Ten  or  fifteen,  perhaps,"  answered  the  imperturbable  Major. 

"That's  the  best  of  them,  sir." 
"For  fighting,  you  mean!"  I  rejoined. 

Jl^V^l   '''°  ''^P' '°  ^"®''  "'^^"^  ^^^  many  of  them:  be- 
sides,  Robbms  won't  let  any  "check  games"  be  played  ii  Wi 
houM,  nor  any  other  kind  of  swindling  to  go  on  there." 
mentf "  "^°  Johnstone-is  he  concerned  in  the  establish- 

''No  farther  than  that  he  is  hired  to  keep  order  there." 
™.  ^""".^^  "  •»«  <ii<in't  tackle  that  fellow,  'Ned'f  He  talked 
very  warlike  to  that  man  they  called  Grammy,  and  others." 
h«..     IT  ^t'^^ew  he  couldn't  win,  and  the  attempt  might 

thaTrff''?.'''V''f-    '^^^'^^^^-'  -ho  violated  the  ^rson  o 
that  inofiensive  dealer,  is  one  of  the  worst  desperados  in  thia 
ciiy,  sir,  and  his  companions  are  equally  as  bad." 

ho  JJ""'^^^  ^^  *^®  P®"^"  -h»™  he  «o  brutaJly  iiHured  wiU 
have  him  arrested!"  "m*""**  nu* 

hJi'^^"!  .r"'*^  ^'  *™*'"°*  *°*  **e''haps  a  fine  of  five  or  ten 
dollar  at  the  utmost,  and  the  ruffian  might  retaliate  uiS>n  h^ 
and  cause  h,m  to  be  indicted  for  dealing  fare.  He  wields  some 
i^lT  V^  ^'  authorities,  because  he  is  politicaUy  powerfiU 
among  the  rougher  characters  of  tb.  city,  known  as^e  F^ 
Market  Rangers,  or  the  Flat-iron  Rangers. 

tinn''?/'"'"?^i°''™J.^^  ^^'^  *^**  ^'^  -^^^^'h  the  above  conveiBa- 
htnuf  T''^'  u^"'  *^^  ^^J°^  ^•^'i  'ny^elf  were  seated  at 
breakfast  in  our  hotel,  in  looking  over  the  morning  paper  my 
attention  was  attracted  to  a  paragraph  which  stated  t^t  "a 
wel  -known  citizen  named  Edward  La  Grange  was  found  dead  a 
short  distance  from  his  lodgings,  from  the  effects  of  a  load  of 
buckshot,  which  lod;  .d  near  his  heart.  On  the  body,  whenaiJ. 
covered,  was  found  his  watch  and  other  ornaments.^;nd  iS  one 
of  his  pockets  a  small  leather  pocket-book,  containing  $20  In 
banknotes.    It  is  believed  that  revenge  prompted  the^aJ^! 


906 


■WANDERINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 


"Let's  go  to  the  coroner's  inquest,"  said  the  Major. 

We  discovered,  from  an  examination  of  the  paper,  where  the 
inquest  was  to  be  held,  and  ten  minutes'  walli  brought  ua  to  the 
place.  A  large  crowd  of  persons  were  congregated  there,  but  a 
much  larger  one  before  a  brick  house  a  short  distance  off,  where, 
<)n  the  pavement  in  front  of  it,  lay  the  remains  of  the  murdered 
man.  We  managed  to  work  our  way  into  the  crowd,  and  in  the 
ghastly  features  of  the  corpse  turned  up  to  the  noonday  sun  we 
recognized  those  of  the  "  Ned,"  who,  in  so  dastardly  a  manner, 
had  outraged  the  person  of  the  Indian  dealer  by  striking  him  in 
the  face  with  the  deaUng-box.  His  assassin  was  never  discovered! 


CHAPTEB   XXIX. 

WOIF-TRAPS — CONTINUED. 

From  1836  up  to  1846  the  gambling  done  in  Cincinnati,  in  the 
banking  Une,  was  almost  entirely  confined  to  faro,  and  the 
games  were  conducted,  in  what  were  called  ten  per  cent,  houses, 
or,  as  classically  rendered  by  the  masses  who  patronized  tlieta, 
"  wolf-traps,"  or  "  dead-falls."  After  the  date  mentioned,  gamb- 
lers began  fitting  up  better  rooms  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
more  respectable  class  of  customors,  and  shut  out  from  them  the 
rougher  characters  who  were  in  the  habit  of  making  tho  "  wolf- 
traps"  a  place  of  resort.  Dens  of  the  "  wolf-trap  "  de  -.,  "ion 
were  by  no  means  confined  to  Cincinnati,  but  were  to  be  /ound 
in  St.  Louis,  Pittsburgh,  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia, 
and  several  of  the  minor  cities.  B-  1  .»  o  city  in  the  Union  did 
they  flourish  so  extensively  and  n>.  amAi  numbers  as  that  first 
named,  or  were  the  re(?ort  of  t '  mairv  .uffianly  and  lawless 
characters. 

Dens  of  the  description  of  the  "Tapis  Franc,"  and  the  "  dead- 
falls"  of  San  Francisco  and  Sacramento,  are  now  matters  of  his- 
tory only,  and  it  seems  beyond  the  bounds  of  probability  that 
similar  haunts  of  vice,  and  the  brutal  and  lawless  scenes  there 
enacted,  will  ever  again  be  permitted  to  disgrace  our  country, 
and  the  name  of  civilization. 

In  Cmcinnati,  the  number  of  traps  would  increase  or  decrease 


1 

t 
t 
s 
t 
a 

0 

e 

ii 
u 
tl 

P 
b; 

i.i 
bi 
ai 
bi 
ra 
th 
ba 
ha 
ua 
his 


tfajor. 

paper,  where  the 
brought  ua  to  the 
ated  tliere,  but  a 
jtance  oflf,  where, 

of  the  murdered 
crowd,  and  in  the 

noonday  sun  we 
stardly  a  manner, 
»y  striking  him  in 
never  discovered! 


Cincinnati,  in  the 
to  faro,  and  the 
1  per  cent,  houses, 
patronized  tlieta, 
mentioned,  ganib- 
tertainment  of  tho 
out  from  them  the 
naking  tho  "  wolf- 
trap"  de  i,«ion 
,  were  to  be  lound 
and  Philadelphia, 
y  in  the  Union  did 
ibers  as  that  first" 
aauly  and  lawless 

,"  and  the  "dead- 
low  matters  of  his- 
)f  probability  that 
svless  scenes  there 
;race  our  country, 

icreaso  or  decrease 


"WOLF-TBAPS. 


867 


in  proportion  to  the  numbers  of  their  patrons;  at  times  as  many 
as  fifteen  would  be  flourishing  full  tilt,  while  again  their  number 
would  dwindle  down  to  four  or  fire.  During  the  summer  months 
they  were  by  far  the  most  numerous,  owing  to  the  many  boatmen 
ill  the  city  thrown  out  of  employment  by  the  closing  ot  navitra- 
tion  on  tho  river.  ^ 

These  delectable  institutions  were  located  in  close  proximity 
to  the  steamboat  landing;  cither  facing  it,  or  in  some  by-street 
convenient.    Thoy  were  to  bo  found  in  basements,  first  floors 
and  third  floors,  but  most  generally  disconnected  from  rum-mills' 
To  fit  up  a  "  wolf-trap,"  It  would  be  necessary  to  procure  a  room' 
furnish  It  with  a  dozen  or  so  common  cane-seat  chairs,  a  faro- 
tablo,  and  a  few  other  trifling  articles,  and  it  was  ready  to  re- 
ceive all  coraera,  always  excepting  the  proscribed  sons  of  Africa 
1  he     nigs,"  not  to  bo  behind  their  white  brethren,  had  also  their 
traps,"  which,  to  their  credit  bo  it  said,  were  conducted  on  a 
much  more  orderly  and  honorable  basis  than  many  of  those  from 
winch  thoy  were  excluded.    Nor  did  they  retaliate  by  showing 
the  same  spirit  of  exclusiveness  in  their  dens,  for  the  African  and 
tae  Caucasian  could  frequently  be  seen  there,  seated  side  by  side 
struggling  for  the  possession  of  the  "  filthy  lucre."    Neither  did 
the  sable  proprietor  permit  any  "  check  "  games  to  be  played  or 
any  other  kindred  rascalities  frequently  practiced  in  the  "traps" 
of  their  white  brethren.    The  proprietor  of  the  "  traps  "  furnish- 
ed  all  the  requisite  gambUng  paraphernalia;  his  money  was 
mvested  in  rent,  furniture,  and  faro-tools  only;  he  rarely  or 
never  put  up  a  "snap," nor  eve:i  played  against  one.    He  left 
that  part  of  the  business  to  his  patrons.    Whenever  one  of  these 
put  up  a  bank  he  looked  out  for  him,  or  dealt  it  for  him  •  if  the 
bank  won  he  deducted  ten  per  cent. ;  if  it  lost,  he  charged  noth- 
iig  lor  his  services  or  the  use  of  his  house  and  tools.    When  a 
b£vnk  had  been  broken,  the  dealing-chair  was  declared  vacant 
ana  waiting  for  a  new  aspirant  to  tempt  fortune.    The  largest 
bank  ofiered  to  be  eet  up  was  given  the  preference,  and  they 
ranged  through  all  amounts  from  $1  to  $500,  but  seldom  liigher 
tnan  $.50.    Soraetlmes  several  persons  would  unite  to  stock  a 
bank,  and  all  except  the  dealer  play  against  it.     It  frequently 
happened  that,  early  in  the  morning,  some  enterprising  individ- 
ual, wishing  to  start  business  for  hi  nself,  would  throw  down 
his  dollar  and  declare  that  his  bank.     The  proprietor  of  the 


308 


WANOERIiraS  OF  ▲  VAOABOm). 


rooms  would  theu  sire  Llm  checks  for  the  amount,  issuing  them 
at  ten,  five,  or  perhaps  one  cent  apiece.  Presently  thirty  or 
forty  dollars'  worth  of  checks  would  be  bought  and  ready  to  be 
played  ag?  inst  the  dollar  bank.  Possibly  it  might  lire  all  day 
and  win  a  few  hundred  dollars,  but  the  odds  were  several  hun- 
dred to  one  thut  it  would  specdly  give  up  the  ghost.  The  bank 
being  declareii  broken,  another  one  was  speedily  put  up  in  its 
place,  and  in  this  manner  was  business  conducted  in  these  es- 
tablishments, and  the  ten  per  cent,  derived  from  the  winning 
banks  amounted  in  the  course  of  the  year  to  a  very  respectable 
revenue  for  the  keepers  of  these  "traps." 

These  places  were  patronized  by  all  classes  of  the  community, 
fh)m  the  laborer  to  the  sons  of  the  wealthy  aristocracy.  Trades- 
men, mechanics,  low  politicians,  river  men,  and  river  sharpers, 
rowdies  and  thieves  of  every  description  and  grade.  The  ver- 
dant who  visited  tliese  places  were  objects  of  prr<y  to  many  of 
the  rough  sharpers,  who  put  every  scheme  they  could  devise  to 
work,  in  order  to  rob  them.  Should  they  put  up  banks,  they 
coi^.ld  not  there,  as  at  No.  98  Barclay  Street,  New  York,  "bon- 
net" and  play  upon  ttem  such  jokes  as  the  patrons  were  accus- 
tomcl  at  those  places  to  treat  their  bankers  to.  In  that  locality 
Buch  high- Handed  acts  of  violence  were  not  tolerated,  the  laws 
of  Cincinnati  being  so  eccentric  as  to  punish  such  little  practical 
jokes  severely.  Neither  were  they  he;>.  relieved  of  their  money 
by  a  two-card  box.  The  pasturage  of  the  "  traps  "  was  too  thin 
for  that  stock.  But  the  rough  sharpers  of  these  institutions, 
when  they  had  a  verdant  to  deal  with,  managed  to  get  his  mon- 
ey by  making  half  tunjs  on  him,  paying  his  bets  short,  and  steal- 
ing his  checks.  Ii  too  well  posted  up  to  stand  such  nonsense, 
the  game  would  be  dealt  with  all  seeming  fairness,  taking  the 
chance  of  v  inning  his  money  on  tUe  square ;  should  this  prove 
unsuccessful,  when  he  passed  in  his  checks,  in  order  to  have  them 
cashed,  he  would  be  greeted  with  a  laugh  by  both  the  dealer 
and  his  tappers,  and  assured  that  the  game  was  only  a  lark,  and 
that  had  Ixe  lost  his  money  it  would  have  been  refunded  to  him, 
or  poifinps  they  might  have  taken  out  the  price  of  the  drinks  and 
refundftd  the  remainder.  But  only  well-known  citizens  would  get 
thfin  mo'. >y  refunded  in  this  manner.  Should  the  "  sucker"  be 
iv  itrangcr,  nd  win,  the  money  he  had  played  in  would  be  taken 
ott  by  a  lapp:    who  would  immediately  leave  the  house,  carry  • 


t 

P 

il 

tj 
s 


n 


n: 
ct 
ei 
gl 


ci 
in 


WOLF-TEAPS. 


369 


it,  issaing  them 
wntly  thirty  or 
iud  ready  to  be 
;ht  lire  all  day 
sre  several  hun- 
08t.  The  bank 
ly  pat  up  in  its 
;ed  in  these  es- 
3m  the  winning 
rery  respectable 

'  the  community, 
icracy.  Trades- 
.  river  sharpers, 
rade.  The  ver- 
proy  to  many  of 
y  could  devise  to 
t  up  banks,  they 
ew  York,  "bon- 
rons  were  accus- 

In  that  locality 
lerated,  the  laws 
ch  little  practical 
d  of  their  money 
♦ps  "  was  too  thin 
hese  institutions, 
d  to  get  his  mon- 
I  short,  and  steal- 
d  such  nonsense, 
mess,  taking  the 
should  this  prove 
>rderto  have  them 
rboth  the  dealer 
isonly  alark,  and 

refunded  to  him, 
Bof  the  drinks  and 
citizens  would  get 
the  "sucker "be 
in  would  be  taken 
)  the  house,  can7  ■ 


ing  It  with  him.    If  the  "  sucker  "  continued  to  win,  and  showed 
signs  of  quitting  the  game,  the  dealer  would  address  one  of  his 
cronies  with  a  request  that  he  would  take  liis  place  for  a  few 
moments,  as  he  had  some  very  pressing  business  to  attend  to 
He  would  then  leave  the  house.    Perhaps  before  doing  so  he  had 
"pinched"  from  the  card-box  whatever  money  the  "sucker" 
had  handed  in  for  checks.    He  certainly  would  not  make  bia 
appearance  in  the  rooms  again  until  the  dupe  had  vacated  those 
premises,  unless  informed  by  a  runner  that  he  had  lost  back  to 
the  bank  his  checks.    In  that  case  he  would  leisurely  return  and 
resume  his  place  in  the  dealing-chair.     Should  the  successful 
"sucker"  pass  in  his  checks,  he  was  politelv  requested  to  wait 
until  the  dealer  returned,  by  the  man  in  the  chair.    Of  course  no 
dealer  returned ;  the  cappers  would  then  raise  a  cry  of  robbery 
and  demand  the  name  of  the  dealer  from  his  representative! 
That  mdividual  of  course  did  not  know,  nor  any  one  else  in  the 
room.    All  would  now  be  uproar  and  confusion,  in  tba  midst  of 
winch  some  kind-hearted  gentleman  would  whisper  in  his  ear, 
"  Corae  along  o'  me ;  I  know  where  to  flnd-'im,  and  we'll  make 
'im  pay  up."  If  the  poor  dupe  allowed  himself  to  be  lured  from 
the  house  with  his  new  friend,  he  would  be  dragged  from  one 
place  to  anotJier  until  heart  and  flesh  both  were  exhausted ;  and 
if  a  stranger,  he  had  long  since  lost  all  traces  of  the  house  where 
the  game  took  place.    Should  he  happen  to  be  one  of  those  ob- 
stmate  "  cusses  "  who  could  not  be  induced  to  leave  the  premi- 
ses unless  he  had  at  least  his  own  money  back,  the  proprietor 
would  make  his  appearance,  and,  after  listening  to  the  gentle- 
man's complaint,  would  refund  it  to  him.    Not  because  he  had 
any  right  to  do  so;  by  no  means.    "He  wasn't  responsible  for 
those  who  came  to  his  house ;  an'  if  gentlemen  bucked  aghi  the 
bank,  't;?as  their  business  to  see  that  the  bank  money  was  all 
right  first.    'Twas  as  much  as  he  could  do  to  look  arter  his  ten 
per  cent.,  if  it  won.    But  then  he  didn't  want  anybody  treated 
mean  in  his  house ;  he'd  sell  his  furniture  before  he'd  allow  thr'.t," 
etc.    This  apparent  sincerity  on  the  part  of  the  proprietor  gen- 
erally smoothed  the  rafiBed  feathers  of  his  victim,  if  he  was  not  too 
glad  to  get  his  money  back  to  know  or  care  what  he  was  saying. 
But  at  times  these  gentry  would  find  some  rather  troublesome 
customers  to  deal  with ;  ^iud  here,  by  way  of  a  sample,  I  shall 
instance  a  few  cases  out  of  many.    A  deck-hand  on  a  steamer 


370 


WA>'DEHINGS  OF  A  VAOABOND. 


0110  night  dropped  into  a  trap.  A  visionary  bank  was  imme- 
diately opened  lor  liis  especial  accommodation.  After  a  sliort 
play  lie  won  forty  dollars  in  checks  and  passed  them  in  to  bo 
cashed.  He  was  informed  in  the  usual  way  that  tlie  dealer  hav- 
ing charge  of  the  bank  money  was  out  at  that  moment,  and  re- 
qnestcd  to  wait  for  a  short  time  until  his  return.  Ho  waited 
until  the  cappers  had  cither  lost  or  passed  in  their  checks,  say- 
ing, "That's  what  I  owe  Mr.  Smith,  or  Jones,  or  any  otlier  hypo- 
thetical gentleman,"  and  '.oft  the  apartment.  The  deck-hand, 
having  waited  about  an  'lour,  became  convinced  that  there 
was  no  money  for  him  in  tUat  crib,  and  quietly  left.  On  the  fol- 
lowing night,  at  about  the  same  hour,  ho  paid  another  visit  to 
the  place,  accompanied  by  about  a  dozen  of  his  fellow-boatmen. 
A  snap  was  in  progress,  but  none  of  tlio  parties  engaged  were 
those  he  had  seen  on  the  evening  previous;  but,  without  a  single 
moment's  hesitation,  ho  seized  the  card-box,  checks,  and  deal- 
ing-box, and  was  in  the  act  of  making  off  with  thorn,  when  he 
was  politely  stopped  by  the  proprietor,  and  the  requisite  forty 
dollars  produced. 

The  next  scene  which  I  recall  to  mind  was  one  in  which  an 
old  Kentucky  farmer  figured  as  principal  actor ;  having  been 
picked  up  by  some  scamp  and  roped  to  tho  den.  This  old  fel- 
low, who  was  much  above  tho  ordinary  size  of  mortals,  and  pos- 
sessed the  strength  of  three  or  four  ordinary  men,  was  prone  to 
indulge  his  leisure  hours  in  tackling  tho  tiger,  whenever  he 
found  one  of  those  animals  lying  around  loose. 

As  ho  entered  tho  "trap"  a  full  game  was  already  under  way, 
having  been  gotten  up  for  his  especial  benefit.  Feeling  kindly 
iisposed  to  "jine,"  he  handed  over  to  the  dealer  a  Kentucky 
flver,  and  received  checks  for  it,  which  he  soon  ran  up  to 
eighty  dollars,  in  spite  of  short-paying,  half-turns,  and  stealing 
his  sleepers.  Ho  demanded  money  for  his  checks,  and  was  in- 
formed by  the  dealer,  after  he  had  counted  the  jhecks  carefully 
and  put  them  in  tho  bank,  that  his  "pardner,"  who  carried  the 
bank  money,  was  out,  but  would  bo  back  presently.  The  old 
farmer  then  and  there  expressed  his  disapprobation  of  such  a 
mode  of  conducting  a  business,  especially  a  faro-bank ;  but  in 
order  not  to  render  himself  disagreeable,  resumed  his  seat  to 
await  the  coming  of  the  visionary  "pardner"  with  the  bank 
money.    Dealer  and  cappers  continued  their  game,  in  hopes  the 


I 
t 
I 

ii 
c 
u 
d 

q 

w 
T 
tl 
bj 
in 

80 

ar 

W( 

bo 
th 
fai 

BUI 

inj 
rm 
lay 


)anlc  was  imme- 
.  After  a  short 
1  them  in  to  bo 
t  the  dealer  hav- 
iiomoiit,  and  re- 
urn.  Ho  waited 
heir  checks,  say- 
any  otlior  hypo- 
Tho  deck-hand, 
need  that  there 
left.  On  the  fol- 
another  visit  to 
I  fellow-boatmen, 
cs  engaged  were 
,  without  a  single 
becks,  and  deal- 
1  them,  when  he 
ho  requisite  forty 

one  in  which  an 
or;  having  been 
n.  This  old  fel- 
mortals,  and  pos- 
en,  was  prone  to 
er,  whenever  he 

ready  under  way, 
.  Feeling  kindly 
jaler  a  Kentucky 
soon  ran  up  to 
ims,  and  stealing 
ecks,  and  was  in- 
)  jhecks  carefully 
"  who  carried  the 
38ently.  The  old 
obation  of  such  a 
aro-bank;  but  in 
umed  his  seat  to 
"  with  the  bank 
ame,  in  hopes  the 


WOLF-TBAPS. 


371 


h\.Z.  '"""''^  J° °'  ^*  ^^  «at  iu  dogged  silence,  never  taking 
his  eyes  once  off  the  door.    The  dealer  now  began  to  think  thaf 
his  absence  from  the  room  might  be  conducive  to  his  pers^nS 
safety   and  addressing  a  gentleman  lounging  abou     wSo  aV 
peared  a  mere  "looker-on  hi  Viemia,"  defired  him    o  make ^a 
deal  for  bun  while  ho  went  to  see  "what  tho  devil  had  STome 
of  h.s  pardner.'^    This  obliging  person  consented  and  took  the 
deahng-chair,  and  its  last  incumbent  made  a  pass  for  the  door 
thh^^'T'r^^'r"'  "»^«l>»g"n,  his  egrL  was  barredb; 
the  stalwart  form  of  tho  Kentuckian.    "Look  hero,  stranger'" 
he  ejaculated,  "you  can't  pass  here  till  I  gits  my  nionoy  back 
nohowl"  at  the  same  time  shaking  m  his  f^e  a  Tdgo  hamme; 

"  Ter  a  d-n  fool !  ain't  I  goin'  tor  get  yer  money  fur  vo  ?  "  do- 

hTsSs^^KSr^  ^""'^--^  ^-'-'  ^"  -"'^  -^^^^^ 

"I  tell  yer  ye  can't  leave  this  hero  room  till  I  gits  my 
money,"  doggedly  reiterated  the  old  farmer.    Here  several  of 
those  present  mterposed,  and  assured  him  'twas  all  right,  that 
he  d  got  his  money,  etc.,  etc. ;  but  tho  obstinate  old  fellow  was 
mcapabe  of  listening  to  such  undoubted  logic,  and  persisted  in 
closing  the  door  upon  all  persons  and  allowing  none  to  depart 
uutil  his  money  was  produced.    Tho  case  was  desperate!    The 
dealer  saw  no  solution  of  the  difficulty  but  to  flght  it  out;  couse- 
quently  he  drew  off  and  hit  the  old  man  with  all  the  force  he 
was  master  of,  on  tho  side  of  his  head,  with  his  clenched  fist. 
This  had  no  more  effect  than  if  it  had  been  a  friendly  pat  on 
the  iron  franco  of  the  old  Kentuckian,  who  caught  his  assailant 
by  the  top  of  his  head  with  one  l,rawny  hand,  while  be  "mashed 
m    his  face  with  the  doubled  fist  of  the  other,  and  laid  him  a 
sensdess  heap  on  the  floor.    Tho  roughs  now  joined  their  forces 

wor/lf  .".  '°*^  ^'^  °'**  ^'"""^  *"  ■'^  ^'^^^y'  b"t  J^«  '"ade  short 
woik  of  them;  a  blow  from  his  fist  or  a  kick  from  his  cowhide 
boot  sending  them  to  "grass"  in  all  directions,  from  whence 
tuoy  soon  picked  themselves  up  and  sneaked  off,  until  the  old 
larmer  was  at  last  left  alone  in  the  place,  "tho  monarch  of  all  he 
surveyed."  Ho  then  stepped  down  to  the  street,  hailed  a  pass- 
ing dray,  and  commenced  loading  upon  it  the  furniture  of  the 
room,  the  gambling  paraphernalia,  and  whatever  clso  he  could 
lay  hands  on.    The  row,  and  the  subsequent  proceedings  of  tho 


a» 


WAVDSmVOS  or  a  TAOABOim. 


old  fellow,  had  gathered  nroiind  him  the  usual  crowd  of  cuiiOBity 
seekers,  who  were  enthusiastically  cheering  luin  on  in  hia  .^nod 
work,  when,  Just  as  tho  articles  were  about  being  hauled  uway 
to  an  auction-room,  which  was  evidently  the  destination  for 
which  the  old  man  intended  them,  a  strange  gentleman  appeared 
on  tho  scene  and  represented  that  he  was  the  owner  of  tho  pro- 
perty, and  also  ufllrmed  that  tho  dealer  had  spoken  the  truth 
when  he  said  his  partner  was  absent,  and  that  he  was  himself 
that  person.  That  he  had  been  detained  much  longer  than  he 
hod  expected  to  be,  but  was  now  ready  to  settle  all  claims  against 
the  bank.  "Then  shell  out  now!"  roared  the  old  farmer.  He 
was  finally  coaxed  to  leave  the  door  and  come  up  stairs,  to  the 
great  indignation  of  the  assembled  crowd,  where  he  paid  liim 
his  money  and  finally  induced  him  to  leave  without  creating  any 
further  disturbance. 

John  Swann  was  far  up  in  the  fifties,  a  shoemake*  by  profes- 
sion, and  had  neither  wife,  children,  nor  relatives,  at  .  ost  none 
that  his  most  intimate  acquaintance  knew  of.  He  was  a  votary 
of  the  green  tables,  and  since  those  honorable  institutions,  the 
"wolf-traps,"  were  first  introduced  into  Cincinnati,  had  been 
their  constant  patron.  The  greater  part  of  his  hard-earned 
money  went  to  gratify  his  passion  for  playing  at  faro.  He  was 
an  inoflcnsive  old  genius,  rather  eccentric,  and  the  world 
thought  his  intellect  considerably  impaired.  The  roughest  of  the 
firequenters  of  the  traps  respected  him,  and  should  any  one  try 
to  steal  bis  checks  from  the  lay-out,  friendly  voices  were  not 
wanting  to  warn  him,  nor  friendly  hands  to  see  that  the  old  man 
had  his  rights.  When  he  got  broke,  he  never  hung  about  the 
tables,  or  tried  to  borrow  stakes  from  any  one.  Hd  had  no  as- 
sociates, was  always  when  on  tho  street  entirely  alone,  and 
when  at  play  seldom  or  never  spoke  to  those  aV,ont  him,  but 
talked  constantly  to  himself,  and  his  singular  behavior  and 
quaint  remarks  afforded  a  never-failing  fund  of  merriment  to 
those  around  him.  Whenever  he  lost  two  or  three  bets  succes- 
sively, he  would  exclaim,  not  addressing  any  one,  but  merely  to 
himself,  "  There  I  go !  'twas  a  brick  to  a  brick  house  that  card 
would  lose  when  I  staggered  up  against  it."  "  Stop  your  wagon, 
dealer,"  he  would  cry  out  whenever  he  wanted  to  make  a  bet; 
"more  fish  in  the  market."  Wlien  he  had  placed  his  bet  to  his 
satisfiActiOD,  he  would  look  np  into  the  dealer's  face  and  say,  "  It's 


t 

8 

I 
f 
a 

0 

b 
t 


WOLF-TRAPS. 


373 


jwd  of  curiosity 
on  In  hia  .-jood 
ig  hauled  away 
destination  for 
Icman  appeared 
nor  of  the  pio- 
)okon  the  truth 
he  wae  himself 
longer  than  he 
,11  claims  against 
)ld  farmer.  He 
ip  stairs,  to  the 
ire  be  paid  him 
out  creating  any 

lakc'  by  profes- 
es,  at  .  ast  none 
He  was  a  votary 

institutions,  the 
innati,  had  been 
bis  bard-earned 
,t  faro.     He  was 

and  the  world 
e  roughest  of  the 
)uld  any  one  try 

voices  were  not 
that  the  old  man 
r  huDg  about  the 
,  H(i  had  no  as- 
tirely  alone,  and 
)  aV.ont  bim,  but 
ar  behavior  and 
of  merriment  to 
:hree  bets  succes- 
ne,  but  merely  to 

house  that  card 
Stop  your  wagon, 
il  to  make  a  bet; 
jed  his  bet  to  his 
'ace  and  say,  "It's 


an  apple  to  an  orchard  I'll  lose  that.  I  feel  it,  air  I  It's  fate!" 
Should  tlio  bet  win  after  these  exclamations,  he  would  give  a  low 
whistle,  peculiar  to  himself,  and  then  cry  out,  "  There,  damn  me 
If  Susy  wasn't  asleep,  the  strumpet,  or  sho'.l  never  have  let  me 
win  that  bet."  "  Susy  "  was  the  old  man's  imaginary  evil  mnius. 
whom  ho  believed  the  source  of  all  his  ill  luck,  and  the  torment 
of  his  life.  Often  while  the  old  man  would  bo  wending  his 
way  homewards,  having  left  his  last  t-ont  in  some  of  the  "  traps  " 
he  would  unceasingly  discourse  to  himself  on  the  topic  of  his  bad 
luck,  and  what  ho  intended  doing  -'"-  faro-dealers  when  his 
time  should  come-a  millenn'  .ch  he  never  entertained 

the  shadow  of  a  doubt.     "My  ..y  '11  come !"  he  would  ejaculate, 
emphatically  shaking  his  head,  "my  day  '11  come,  bound  to  come 
111  win  every  cent  in  town,  every  cent.    I'll  make  them  fellows 
wear  summer  suits  when  there's  snow  on  the  ground.    Damn  me 
ifl  don't  do  it,  sure!" 

The  old  man's  predictions  came  true  at  last.  One  summer  for 
a  space  of  two  months  he  gobbled  up  two  or  three  snaps  u  day 
on  an  average,  and  in  the  transports  of  his  joy  he  would  flourish 
bis  spoils  in  the  faces  of  whatever  acquaintances  he  met  in  the 
streets  on  tis  way  home. 

WhUe  hi  the  zenith  of  this  streak  of  luck  he  happened  one 
night  into  a  trap  where  the  roughs  had  a  "  sucker  "  on  the  tow- 
path.    Believing  everything  to  be  all  straight,  he  bought  some 
checks  and  pitched  in.  He  soon  won  out  what  checks  the  dealer 
had,  amounting  to  $120.    Meanwhile  the  "  gull "  had  lost  all  his  • 
money  and  left  the  place.    The  old  man  passed  over  his  checks 
and  demanded  money  for  them.  The  dealer  took  from  the  card- 
box  the  $15  he  had  won  from  the  "sucker,"  anu  also  the  $5 
Swann  had  paid  for  checks,  and  remarking,  "I'll  be  back  in  a 
minute,  and  give  you  your  money,"  left  the  place.    The  roughf 
sneaked  after  bim  one  by  one,  until  at  last  the  half-crazed  old 
man  was  the  sole  occupant  of  the  place.    When  he  had  waited  a 
full  hour,  and  no  dealer  made  his  appearance,  he  began  to  "  smell 
a  rat."    "  Sold,  sartain  I"  he  ejaculated.    He  picked  up  the  lay- 
out  fi-om  the  table,  and  pinned  it  to  bis  shoulder,  allowing  it  to 
bang  down  his  back  below  his  knees,  in  such  a  manner  that  all 
the  cards  were  in  full  view,  from  the  ace  to  the  king.    He  then 
pitched  the  checks  into  the  card -box,  and  placed  it  under  bis  arm. 
In  such  a  manner  that  the  brass  eagle  and  thirteen  stars  might 


j 


374 


WANDBRniOS  or  ▲  VAOABOXIK 


bo  sceu  by  every  [xtmuu  whu  puHaed  biui.  Id  bU  other  band  be 
touk  tbo  (luubug-box,  uud  tUus  uccuutrud  tuado  bla  appouruuco 
uu  tbu  Htroot.  Tbo  uld  follow  wuti  iuuuvdiutcly  HunoiuiUud  by 
a  ciowd  of  boys,  uearly  nil  of  wbutu  wcro  woll  ocquulutud  witb 
bis  occciitrlcitluu,  and  followed  witb  uuearlbly  bootbigH  uud  Hboitt- 
iu(;8  of  approval,  and  wbo,on  cntcliiug  ulgbt  of  any  of  tboir  com- 
rades, would  cry  out,  "Como  bero,  boys;  old  Swann's  tuck  In  a 
farrer-bauk  at  last !" 

It  was  tbo  last  be  ever  captured.  He  never  gave  any  reason 
wbatovor  for  tbo  change  in  bis  conduct,  but  was  never  known 
to  play  at  faro  afterwards,  neitbcr  did  bo  over  enter  a  gambliag- 
bouso. 

Uo  persistently  refused  to  give  up  tbo  tools,  tbougb  tbe  money 
duo  bill),  $120,  was  considerably  more  tban  tbey  were  wortb,  and 
was  epoatedly  offered  bim  in  excbauge ;  but  bo  refused  every 
overture,  and  swore  tbat  untold  wealtb  could  not  induce  bim  to 
part  witb  tbem. 

Tbe  roughs  seldom  extracted  more  than  (100  from  any  one 
t>ersou,  when  amusing  tbem  witb  check  games  or  other  recrea- 
tions of  that  stamp.  In  fact,  such  a  sum  as  that  would  be  consid- 
ered by  them  a  big  haul.  Of  this  kind  of  plunder,  twenty-five 
per  cent,  went  to  tbo  bouse,  and  tbe  balance  being  divided  up 
between  tbe  dealer  .and  tbe  roper  who  brought  tbo  "gull." 
Tbey  gave  to  tbe  cappers  whatever  they  pleased.  A  few  of  tbe 
proprietors  of  these  "traps,"  like  Robbins,  would  not  permit  any 
"check  games"  to  go  on  in  tboir  places,  and  when  a  dealer 
wished  to  put  up  a  bank,  tbey  required  bim  to  put  up  bis  money 
in  advance,  and  themselves  gave  checks  for  the  amount,  aud, 
moreover,  watched  bim  closely  that  he  did  not  over-play  himself. 

But  if  a  "  sucker  "  got  into  the  dealing-chair,  every  art  known 
to  the  roughs  was  put  in  practice  to  rob  him  of  his  money,  and 
not  only  "suckers,"  but  the  shrewdest  of  dealers  foil  victims 
to  their  machinations.  Tboir  checks  would  be  corked,  tbo 
horse-hair  played  on  them,  or  perhaps  bets  dropped  on  them,  and 
frequently  all  three  of  these  artful  scbeinos  were  put  in  opera- 
tion at  one  and  tbe  same  time.  As  many  of  my  readers  may  not 
be  posted  up  on  tbe  modus-operandi  of  these  arts,  I  will  en- 
dop'-or  to  describe  them,  as  far  as  in  me  lies,  for  their  benefit. 
It  is  said  that  "corking"  first  originated  at  the  "  Tapis  Franc," 
Ann  street,  New  Tork.    I  am  not  in  a  position  to  either  contra* 


rr.'?^rr*^trtv\\r"J'-'^''.r*""'~ 


I'y*^ 


9. 

lU  other  boDd  be 
10  bla  ai)p«)ui'uuco 
ly  Hunoiuicled  by 
ocqualuled  wilb 
K)tiiiga  uud  Mliout- 
ttuy  of  tliolr  coiu- 
JwauD'a  tuck  lu  a 

gave  nny  roaaon 
was  never  knowu 
ontor  a  gambllng- 

though  the  money 
y  wore  worth,  and 
ho  refused  every 
aot  induce  him  to 

100  from  any  one 
)B  or  other  rccrea- 
t  would  be  consid- 
inder,  twenty-five 
)  being  divided  up 
•ught  the  "gull." 
ed.  A  few  of  the 
uld  not  permit  any 
ad  when  a  dealer 
I  put  up  bis  money 
the  amount,  and, 
over-play  himself. 
r,  every  art  known 
of  his  money,  and 
ealers  fell  victims 
I  bo  corked,  the 
pped  on  them,  and 
ere  put  in  opera- 
ly  readers  may  not 
30  arts,  I  will  en- 
,  for  their  benefit. 
10  "  Tapis  Franc," 
n  to  either  contra* 


V  « 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

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375 


diet  or  substantiate  that  fact,  tlierefoie  .1  shall  pass  it  over. 
It  was,  at  ail  uveuts,  a  very  clever  -Unice  iu  a  rough  way  to  roli 
laro-Uealers.     The  cfiocks  of  a  laro-bauk  are  generally  sot  up 
in  stacks  of  twenty  each,  the  dillereut  colcrs  being  placed  sepa- 
rate, and  the  piles  ranged  against  the  sidf  of  the  card- box,  three 
or  four  deep.    At  the  present  day  card-  boxes  are  not  in  use,  and 
the  checks  are  stacked  in  piles  of  twenty  each,  and  placed  iu'little 
wooden  trays,  made  for  that  purpose.    It  has  generally  been  the 
custom  in  gambling-houses  to  leave  the  checks  on  the  table  all 
night ;  however,  a  manipulator  may  cork  a  set  of  checks  at  any 
time  while  a  game  is  not  going  on,  if  he  desires.    It  is  accom- 
plished  by  taking  ten  or  fifteen  checks  fiom  one  of  the  back 
piles.    To  hide  this  theft,  a  potato  or  a  carrot  of  the  same  size 
as  the  check  in  circumference,  and  precisely  the  height  of  the 
fifteen  extracted  checks,  is  put  iu  their  place,  and  the  five  left 
in  that  pile  is  i)laccd  on  top  of  this  vegetable  or  wood,  and  the 
deception  is  perfect.    In  this  manner  the  checks  from  four  or 
five  of  the  back  piles  are  abstracted ;   more  often  but  two  or 
three  are  stolen,  for  fear  that  the  taking  of  too  many  might  lead 
to  detection.     The  dealer,  on  opening  his  game,  seeing  before 
him  the  usual  number  of  stacks  of  checks,  is  satisfied,  and  when 
the  game  has  gotten  well  under  way,  the  stolen  checks  would 
be  played  in  upon  him.    Sometimes  the  thieves  around  the  traps 
would  not  give  the  dealers  a  chance  to  win  the  stolen  plunder, 
but  "palm  it"  to  some  of  their  pals  and  let  them  get  the  money 
for  it.    On  the  occasions  when  this  state  of  things  happened, 
a  grand  row  was  the  general  result  if  the  bank  was  broken, 
about  the  bank  over-playing  itself,  some  of  the  betters  having 
checks  and  no  money  in  the  bank  to  redeem.    If  the  checks 
were  stacked  up  the  fraud  was  at  once  discoverable,  from  the 
finding  more  checks  than  the  piles  designated.   In  "  traps  "  where 
everything  was  conducted  "on  the  square,"  the  piles  of  cheeks 
were  examined  every  morning,  to  make  sure  that  they  had  not 
been  tampered  with  iu  this  way;  but  with  those  who  run  their 
dens  on  the  "  grab-all "  principle,  corking  was  one  of  their  reg- 
ular devices  for  ridding  a  verdant  dealer  of  his  money. 

Dropping  on  a  banker  is  probably  coeval  with  the  earliest 
playing  of  all  games  of  chance.  It  is  generally  done  at  faro, 
while  the  dealer  is  making  his  turn.  For  instance,  the  opera- 
tor seats  himself  in  front  of  the  table,  and,  while  the  dealer  is 


I 


376  WANDBRIKGS  OF  A  VAGABOIfD. 

makiDK  Uis  turn,  all  eyes  being  concentrated  on  the  dealing-box 
j;  see  tui  result,  in  the  meantime  he  can  drop,  unperceived,  a 
pUe  of  checks,  coin,  or  bank-notes  behind  the  three  caixls  near- 
est  him.  should  he  see  that  neither  of  these  cards  is  the  losing 
one-  thus,  by  a  trick,  having  a  chance  to  win,  and  none  to  lose. 
Dropuiug  money  on  games  has  been  practiced  successfully  upon 
the  shrewdest  faro-dealers  in  this  country;   but   only  when 
they  have  placed  too  much  conQdence  in  the  honesty  of  those 
who  were  guilty  of  so  dastardly  a  deed.    Even  the  loosest  charac- 
Z  bearing  the  name  of  gambler  would  hesitate  before  he  perpe- 
trated  such  an  act,  knowing  it  would  close  -g^^n^^^  h'm  tj«  ^oor^^ 
of   every    respectable   gambling-house   where   the   monstrous 
meanneTs  became  known.    Such  acts,  however  have  been  ar^d 
will  be  repeatedly  done  by  a  certain  class  of  ouisiders-men,  too, 
moving  tn  good  society,  who  imagine  the  <' besting  '  of  a  gamb- 
Sr  no  difference  by  what  means,  is  an  able  piece  o(  finesse,  and 
will  add  a  feather  to  their  caps,  instead  of  being  a  dishonorable 
action  reprobated  by  all  right-minded  people. 

Z  Doctor  L,yden  opened  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  summer  of 
1856  a  faro-bank  with  a  declared  limit  of  one  hundred  dollars 
S.     A  man  named  Kelly,  a  prominent  political  leader  was 
p?aying  against  the  game  one  night,  who  was  also  a  n^an  of  some 
weS    He  laid  a  folded  bank-note  behind  the  ^ue^'^^f  y«'^J| 
man  named  Cheatham  was  deahng  at  the  time ;  he  took  up  the 
note,  examined  it,  and  found  its  denomination  to  be  $oO.    ue 
?hn  placed  it  back  where  it  had  lain  at  first  j  it  ^as  won  by  the 
bank     Several  bet.  of  the  same  amount  were  won  and  lost,  unt 
finally  the  dealer  turned  for  them  without  exa.mination.     On 
one  of  these  bills  losing,  Kelly  snatched  it  "P^a°dnl.^e  a  move- 
ment in  a  passionate  manner,  as  if  he  were  going  to  tear  the  bill 
in  two  pieces  between  his  fingers,  but  as  ^^^^^^ '^'Z^Zu^vSr 
self  and  acting  as  if  ashamed  of  his  ungentlemanly  behavior, 
threw  JheWll  over  to  the  dealer,  who,  on  enfolding  it^d^covered 
it  to  be  a  flftv-doUar  bill.    Twice  in  succession  did  Mr.  Kelly 
perform  this  pantomimic  feat.    He  was  a  Po^i^ca  rowdy  lea^^^^^^ 
Sd  consequently  a  man  of  might  in  the  community,  and  the 
Sealer  was  obliged  to  submit  to  his  »"le  eccen^r«     On 
the  third  time  the  note  won,  and  on  examination,  Mr.  Cheatnam 
discovered  it  to  be  a  $1,000  bill.    Cheatham,  without  saying  a 
word,  payed  the  bet  with  a  stack  of  red  checks  valued  at  $100. 


dealing-box 
iperceived,  a 
)  cards  neat' 
i  is  the  losing 
none  U>  lose. 
;essfully  upon 
;   only  when 
esty  of  those 
loscst  charac- 
bre  he  perpe- 
him  the  doors 
le   monstrous 
lave  been  and 
jrs — men,  too, 
;"of  agamb- 
)f  finesse,  and 
,  dishonorable 

;he  summer  of 
indred  dollars 
sal  leader,  was 
a  man  of  some 
iieen.  A  young 
he  took  up  the 
)  be  $50.    He 
ras  won  by  the 
I  and  lost,  until 
mination.     Ou 
I  made  a  move- 
to  tear  the  bill 
■ecovering  him- 
lanly  behavior, 
ig  it,  discovered 
,  did  Mr.  Kelly 
il  rowdy  leader, 
lunity,  and  the 
entricities.     On 
,  Mr.  Cheatham 
without  saying  a 
valued  at  $100. 


Kelly  insisted  on  the  noie  being  paid  in  full:  the  dealer  re  fused. 
"Pay  it  d— n  quicli,"  roared  Kelly,  "or  I'll  get  into  that  drawer 
and  take  it."  But  the  blufif  failed  to  have  the  desired  effect;  it 
was  not  exactly  the  way  to  get  money  from  the  fiery  Cheatham, 
who  could  bluff  as  loud  and  as  long  as  tho  best  of  them,  and 
would  have  beea  a  dangerous  customer  from  whom  to  endeavor 
to  force  money;  in  ordinary  cases,  by  intimidation.  But  in  tho 
present  instance  he  had  no  show;  Kelly  was  above  the  law  in 
anything  he  wished  to  do  to  a  gambler ;  he  started  to  put  hia 
threat  into  execution  by  violence,  and  was  only  prevented  from 
doing  so  by  the  remonstrances  of  some  of  his  more  temperate 
friends,  who  pacified  him  by  urging  him  to  await  the  decision  of 
Doctor  Boyden,  at  that  time  sick  in  his  room  at  the  Interna- 
tional Hotel.  Billy  Cheatham  positively  declined  to  pay  any  more 
than  $100,  the  avowed  limit  of  the  bank.  <'What,  pay  yoa 
$1,000,  you  big  thief  I  Why,  you've  already  lost  that  bill  twice, 
and  then  snatched  it  up  and  put  $50  in  its  place.  Playing  a 
drop  game,  are  yef  Who  ever  heard  of  you  betting  $1,000  on 
auythingt  It  'd  shake  the  liver  out  of  ye !  At  any  rate  if  ye  did 
'twould  be  with  the  expectation  of  stealing  a  thousand !" 

Billy's  tirade  hero  received  a  check  irom  one  of  Kelly's  fol- 
lowers, who  sung  out,  "  Is  it  Kelly  wouldn't  bet  a  thousand  dol- 
lars? Faith  he  would  that,  an'  Philadelphia  on  top  av  it  if  the 
humor  seized  liim,  at  the  toss  av  a  copper." 

"Oh!  pay  the  money,  Cheatham,  d — n  it,  and  don't  try  to  crawl 
out  of  it  that  way,"  chimed  in  another  friend  of  Kelly's. 

"If  he  dont,  I'll  fling  the  weasen-faced  puppy  out  o'  the 
winder !"  roared  another  gentleman,  who  evidently  contained  a 
considerable  quantity  of  whiskey. 

"A  nice  rooster  to  cum  here  and  swindle  one  o'  the  boys!" 
bawled  another  worthy. 

"Oh,  the  devil,  Cheatham!  pay  the  money,  can't  you,  and  let's 
go  on  with  the  game,"  chimed  in  an  impatient  individual  at  the 
table. 

"  That's  right,  Billy,  what  yor  turn  fur  ye've  got  to  pay,"  was 
the  verdict  of  another.  Not  a  single  voice  was  raised  in  favor  of 
the  bank,  and  though  several  persona  were  present  who  would 
not  countenance  such  a  fraud,  they  prudently  held  their  peace, 
not  daring  to  express  an  opinion  contrary  to  that  of  Kelly  and 
his  party. 


373 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


Cboatham  now  sent  a  mossongor  to  Boydon  for  instructions, 
who,  having  hoard  tho  particulars  of  the  atfair,  directed  the 
money  to  bo  paid  in  full  aud  the  game  to  be  continued.  The 
result  proved  tho  wisdom  of  his  course.  Kelly  lost  back  to  tho 
bank  tho  thousand  dollars  of  which  he  had  defrauded  it,  and 
about  two  thousand  more,  and  duruig  a  three  weeks'  play  the 
game  won  about  $10,000. 

Having  so  far  digressed,  I  shall  mention  another  instance  of 
the  "drop-game,"  which  occurred  in  Toledo,  Ohio, in  1868.  The 
swindler  in  this  case  was  one  of  tho  best  practicing  lawyers  in 
tho  place,  moving  in  the  highest  circles,  and  wealthy.    In  the 
city  was  a  faro-bank,  dealt  by  a  resident  gambler,  at  which  he 
was  a  constant  player,  and  having  been  at  about  that  period 
a  loser  to  a  considerable  amount,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  get- 
ting some  of  it  back,  by  robbing  the  proprietor  through  the 
"drop-game."     Tho  limit  of  this  game  was  $50,  and  he  well 
know  that,  even  if  he  succeeded  in  dropping  a  thousand  dollar 
bill  against  it,  he  could  not  bully  this  banker  into  paying'  it,  m 
tho  despicable  manner  in  which  Kelly  had  Boyden.  Consequently 
a  few  days  before  putting  his  game  into  execution,  he  borrowed 
of  the  banker  $1,000,  who,  having  every  confidence  in  his  in- 
tegrity, loaned  it  to  him  without  the  slightest  hesitation,  asking 
for  no  acknowledgment  whatever  in  return.    Shortly  after  this, 
while  playing  at  the  game,  he  bet  a  folded  note,  which  won,  and 
being  unfolded  proved  to  be  a  $1,000  bill.    The  dealer  oflfered 
to  pay  it  with   $50,  the  avowed  limit  of  his  game.    The  law- 
yer insisted  on  payment  being  made  to  the  full  amount  of  the 
bill,  which  the  banker  emphatically  refused.     "Then  I'll  pay 
myself,"  retorted  the  lawyer;    "I  owed  you  a  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  now  I  owe  you  nothing."    He  excused  this  outrage- 
ous conduct  by  saying  that  when  he  bet  the  note  he  did  so 
under  the  impression  that  its  value  was  but  ten  dollars;  but 
that  at  gambling  mistakes  went  for  nothing,  and  as  the  bill  was 
turned  for  without  anything  being  said  about  its  value,  the  bank 
was  bound  to  pay  the  full  amount. 

Had  the  dealer,  as  was  undoubtedly  his  duty,  examined  the 
bill  before  he  turned  for  it,  and  not  have  placed  so  much  confi- 
dence in  men  just  because  they  were  wealthy  and  bore  the 
stamp  of  respectability,  he  would  not  have  lost  his  $1000,  and 
one  of  bis  best  customers  with  it. 


WOLF-TRAPS. 


379 


r  instructions, 
,  directed  the 
iitiuued.  Tlie 
It  back  to  the 
audod  it,  and 
eeks'  play  tlie 

ler  instance  of 
),  in  1868.  The 
ing  lawyers  in 
althy.  In  the 
r,  at  which  he 
ut  that  period 
le  idea  of  get- 
r  through  the 
),  and  he  well 
liousand  dollar 

0  payinj^  it,  in 
,  Consequently 
1,  he  borrowed 
3nce  in  his  in« 
3itation,  asliing 
)rtly  after  this, 
which  won,  and 
)  dealer  offered 
me.  The  law- 
amount  of  the 
"Then  I'll  pay 

thousand  dol- 
a  this  outrage- 
note  he  did  so 
en  dollars;  but 

1  as  the  bill  was 
value,  the  bank 

,  examined  the 
i  so  much  confl- 
Y  and  bore  the 
t  his  $1000,  and 


But,  as  fashionable  novel-writers  are  fond  of  saying,  "  mr,mn<, 
a  nos  moutons,"  or,  to  speali  more  correctly,  in  thi«  i  )st  lo  to 
our  "  wo  i-traps."  It  w.is  in  these  that  the  -horsc-l  "  ;,  " 
was  first  put  m  practice,  and  successfully  played  un,mLovlrv 
sharpest  dealers  who  set  up  banks  .hero  fi  mm-c  ttn  uj 
months  belore  being  detected.  When  '-dropping  down  "on  the 
dealer  would  not  be  tolerated,   the  "horslhair  game"  was 

in  thl  ,  '""  r'-'"''''''  ""''  ""''-P'^P'^'-^  ^'^^  «^er  used 
wer«^hn  T/  T  r'""'  '^''''■""^  "f  P>'^y'"e  upon  case-cards 
were  obliged  to  tax  thoir  memories  in  order  to  do  so.    To  play 

the  -horse-hair  game"  scientifically,  required  two  persons,  a 
full  board  of  players,  and  many  bets  on  the  lay-out.    The  ma- 
nipulator took  a  position  in  front  of  the  table  and  played  small, 
until  one  of  the  cards  near  him  became  "  dead."    This  card  he 
made  his  base  for  operating.    His  "  pal,"  immediately  upon  its 
becoming  "dead,"  placed  upon  it  a  couple  of  stacks  of  white 
checks  of  about  twenty  each.    The  operator  places  behind  these, 
ten  or  fifteen  red  ones,  to  the  bottom  one  of  which  is  attach' 
ed  the  end  of  a  horse-hair,  the  other  end  being  fastened  to  one 
of  his  vest-buttons.    For  example,  we  will  say  that  the  "dead  » 
or  base-card,  is  the  Jack,  next  i^  on  the  lav-out  are  the  ten  and 
queen  and  four  or  five  of  the^e  cards  are  still  in  the  dealing-box. 
Should  he  see  one  of  these  cards  come  winning,  while  the 
dealer  is  making  his  turn,  and  all  eyes  are  concentrated  on  the 
cards  as  they  fall  from  the  box,  ho  leans  gentlv  back  in  his  chair, 
and  as  he  does  so  the  movement  drags  the  stack  of  red  checks 
from  otl  the  Jack,  taking  in  the  winning  card  behind  it.    This 
tnck  could  be  played  two  or  three  times  during  a  deal,  and  on  a 
verdant  dealer  twice  as  often.    It  was  finally  first  detected  one 
day,  by  a  "sucker,"  who  was  playing  in  one  of  the  "traps."    He 
was  petrified  by  the  extraordinary  spectacle  of  a  stack  of  red 
checks  creeping  slowly  from  off  a  card,  without  any  visible 
means  of  locomotion.    After  watching  them  for  a  moment  in 
d.azed  silence,  he  gave  vent  to  his  amazement  by  bawling  out. 
Look  .'  look !"  pointing  at  the  same  time  to  the  traveling  checks, 
darned  if  them  there  checks  ain't  alive!"    It  is  needless  to 
add  that  this  led  to  the  discovery  of  the  trick. 


380 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

SnAKP     PRACTICE. 

The  story  I  am  about  to  relate  was  considered,  some  twenty- 
fl  Jor  thiny  years  ago,  a  good  joke.  When  such  frauds  were 
LcceL  X  carried  out.'their  perpetrators  enjoyed  their  dishonest 

tte  r^aS  ::Z:^t:^^^^^^^  ta.e  a 
Kp  '  AuT  for  how  many  a  bare-faced  robbery  has  thismiser- 

"fn'Z  city  ot  St,  Loui.,  dnrtag  the  summer  of  1844,  oneof 
gambler,  ^»^« '^^^ '^  ^'^'^■J^"'' '"  the  d  "cove"  in  the 

Sr  m^nUr  C  dS^o  r/old  and  diamonds  which 
deconitedhia  person  while  limping  along  tbo  streets  he  mvana- 
Srheld  in  h^  mouth  a  massive  gold  pencil,  and  as  the  end 
Drotiuded  beyond  the  side  of  his  face,  a  large  brilliant  flashed 
Ck  tie  rays  of  the  snn  or  the  light  from  the  gas-lamps  upon 
alThe  merand  a  handsome  gold-headed  cane  was  his  constant 
comoanion  When  the  remains  of  Mr.  Ashby  were  planted 
benS  the  Z  and  he  was  no  more  seen  in  the  places  wh.h 
lately  knew  him,  cynical  and  envious  persons  belonging  to  his 
p^oLioTwere  not  wanting,  who  insistedthathisdem.se  was 


SHARP  PRACTICE. 


38] 


some  twenty- 
»  frauds  were 
beir  dishonest 
ind  when  the 
sxposcrt  to  the 
rho  victim  of 
mthy  from  his 
lo  world;  the 
if  he  couldn't 

rather  to  rid 
)mehow  would 
straight-laced 
jouldn't  take  a 
has  this  miser- 

the  gambling 
r  committing  a 
5  general  con- 
nathing  of  hla 

of  1844,  one  of 
ear-eyed,  lame 
nes  Ashby  was 
"cove"  in  the 
srson  with  more 
r  the  matter  of 
liamonds  which 
ets,  he  invaria- 
md  as  the  end 
arilliant  flashed 
ras-lamps  upon 
ras  his  constant 
'  were  planted 
he  places  which 
elonging  to  his 
his  demise  was 


greatly  hastened  by  the  enormous  weight  of  Jewelry  wi,a  which 
ho  was  nccustoined  to  burden  himself  (Uiiiiij.;  his  life  Ashby 
was  very  gcncniliy  disliked  by  the  si)i)rtiii>-  •Vtteiiiity,  as  niucij 
because  of  liis  vanity  and  foppishness  as  f  r  his  retiiont  and 
unsociable  disposition.  His  furo-bunk,  wliicli  had  played  for  the 
space  of  two  years  with  more  than  average  luck,  had  lightened 
the  pockets  of  many  of  them,  which  did  not  tend  to  do  away 
witli  or  soften  their  animosity. 

Among  those  wlio  had  played  frequently  at  Ashby's  bank, 
with  luck  pretty  generally  on  the  wrong  side,  was  a  humorous 
genius  from  Georgia,  named  Morton,  much  l)ettcr  known  by  the 
sobriquet  of  "Georgia  John."  He  was  considered  a  good  gamb- 
ler, but  his  improvident  habits,  and  his  inordinate  fondness  for 
•'fighting  the  tiger,"  kept  him  Impoverished.  His  genial  and 
generous  disposition  and  his  many  companionable  qualities  made 
him  a  universal  favorite  with  allwith  whom  he  came  in  contact, 
and  from  many  of  them  he  wheedled  checks  to  gratify  his  passion 
for  playing  against  the  bank.  Although  he  was  generally  in  the 
habit  of  losing  his  money  with  the  best  grace,  the  frequent 
Bcouriugs  which  had  overtaken  him  at  Ashby's  liad  made  him 
rather  peevish,  and  disposed  at  times  to  let  fly  some  of  his  pun- 
gent sarcasms  at  the  devoted  head  of  Ashby,  in  revenge  for  his 
heavy  losses.  The  waspish  nature  of  this  latter  gentleman  was 
not  destitute  of  the  exponent  of  a  sharp  tongue  with  which  to 
parry  and  tlrust,  and  the  consequence  was  that  some  by  no 
means  gentle  bantering  took  place  between  himself  and  "Geor- 
gia." 

The  latter,  after  one  day  losing  his  last  dollar  against  his 
bank,  remarked  to  Ashby,  "If  ever  I  have  one-tenth  part  as 
much  good  luck  against  this  cursed  bank  as  I've  had  bad,  I'll 
send  that  jewelry  of  yours  kitin'  to  the  pawn-shop,  and  have 
you  walking  the  streets  like  a  picked  goose." 

"Too  much  o'  the  white-washed  nigger  in  you  for  that,  Geor- 
gia. You'll  never  be  any  account  till  I  own  youj  I'm  certain  I 
shall,  some  day.  All  I'm  keeping  my  game  open  for  's  to  win 
you!" 

"I  s'pose  you'll  take  good  care  o' me  then,  won't  you?"  In- 
quired "  Georgia." 

"The  best  in  the  world,"  returned  his  tormentor.  "I'll  only 
flog  you  three  times  a  week,  and  give  you  an  extra  dozen  or  bo 
Sundays." 


388 


WAXDEniXCS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


From  that  momeut  "(ioor^-iu's"  niiu.l  was  uiado  up  to  give  Asl'- 
bj  a  chance  to  win  Imn.     Ho  n,adc  his  plan  known  to  a  h  .n.l 
Su.  ha.l  lVe.,nuntly  Htuknl  l.i.n  t..  play  la.u,  and  who  was       n- 
se    a  hiKh  roller  against  that  hiKhly  lascinath,,  mst.tat.on.    I  na 
,„„„acnUto  KC'"tlon,an  was  a  horse-.lrover  and  also  ownc^o   a 
hu-«o  farn,  on  tho  Mlssonri  river,  near  Loxn.Kton  '»    ';^\^^ak. 
Liko  tho  ninjority  of  th..so  who  trade  in  that  <l"^^f  ^°    '  '"'j- 
horse-flesh,  i,e  was  not  over-serupnlous  as  to  I'-v^ '>"-«''  « 
„i„nev,  provided  his  liberty  was  not  endangered  b    Ins  tian.  ac- 
uZ:    llo  made  frcMiuent  visits  to  St.  Lonis,  and  w  u  e  there 
Lesi.h^s  attending  to  his  regular  business    -'f '''ved  to  spend 
considerable  tin>e  fighting  tho  tiger,  notably     '"""'••    >f 
tainodby  Mr.  Ashby;  and  tho  tiger  had  decidedlj  tho  best  of 
tho  bargain.  This  gentleman  then  having  a  small  axe  ol  Ins  own 
TgrS  in  tho  .ay  of  getting  even  with  Ashby,  co.^-U.d  -Hi 
alacrity  to  assist  Morton  in  his  plans.    Ho  called  on  A    b>, 
and  informed  him  ho  had  a  likely  negro,  whom  he  had  uused, 
Z  if  he  wanted  to  win  him  at  faro  at  $.5.)0,  ;o  could  do  so. 

-'Niggers  aro  money,"   replied  that  worthy.      '  »""«  "'° 
along  and  let  n.e  see  him,  if  ho^s  worth  $.5()0  I'l  play  for  In- 

N?  better  delineator  of  negro  character  than  "  Georgm      ver 
attained  celebrity  in  tho  annals  of  burnt  cork.    He  ^ou  d  havo 
nrnde  an  invaluable  "end  man."    He  con  d  imitate  ^^y  '  jj'^f, 
of  negro  character,  from  the  dandefted  "«>!«'•«  VTw'io 
down  to  the  lowest  fleld-hand  of  the  sout^iern  Pl^ntat  on    ho 
could  assume  their  gait,  speech,  and  peeuhan.es,  until  .was 
impo.s8ible  for  even  tho  liegrocs  themselves  to  detect  tlio j-l  ^a  ; 
Having  mad.  the  acquaintance  of  some  negro  minstrels  the 
performing  in  the  city,  they  fitted  him  up  a  '^nAfr,ea,ne 
and  -.vnen  he  pre.sente.l  himself  before  his  "massa"  for  approva  , 
he  appeared  a  regular  cotton-field  nigger.     Eph.  Horn  himself 
could  not  have  surppsscd  him. 

"Here's  that  ImIv  I  spoke  of,  Mr.  Ashby;  see  how  you  hlce 
him""  said  the  drover,  presenting  "  Georgia"  to  that  gentleman 

'%^fve?arrerl.s  were  present  at  tho  time,  and  "Georgia"  at 
once  became  the  centre  of  attraeti..n,  but  his  ff  "/^/^'^.^  ""; 
penetrable.  His  own  mother  could  not  have  detected  him,  so 
well  did  he  assume  the  character  bo  represented. 

"He's  rather  short,  isn't  he?"  asked  Ashby  of  the  drover, 
after  taking  a  close  survey  of  the  pretended  "chattel. 


ptogive  Asl'- 
u  to  a  \Yw.m\ 
iho  wiis  him- 
itiition.   Tliia 
w  owner  ol'  a 
in  that  State. 
<ptivo  aiticlo, 
lio  made  Ills 
y  li'iH  traiiHac- 
i  wliilc  tlit'rc, 
ived  to  spend 
animal  niain- 
lly  the  best  of 
axe  of  his  own 
•onsonted  with 
led  on  Awliby, 
lie  had  raised, 
)uld  do  so. 

"IJilng  him 
play  for  hi.n." 
Georgia"  ever 
Ho  would  have 
itc  every  pliaso 
3d  gentleman," 
plantation;  he 
P8,  until  it  waa 
tect  the  cheat, 
minstrels  then 
'^L'A/ricaine,'' 
i"  for  approval, 
h.  Horn  himself 

36  how  you  like 
that  gentleman 

id  "Georgia"  at 

lisguise  was  im- 

lotected  him,  so 

I. 

f  of  the  drover, 

lattel." 


SUAIU'   I'UACnCK. 

pliedTo  l^"^  "'''"  '"^'  ""'  '^^  ^"  «  '^<^'  «'  -'k/'  re. 

"How  old  is  he  V  incjuircd  Asldjy. 

"Twenty-eight  years.     He  was  raised  on  my  place,  an'  I'll 
eusm-o  hnn  to  bo  sound  in  every  respect,"  rei.li.fi  L  pretended 

Ashby  was  seated  in  the  look-out  chair  during  thi.s  collonny 
while  his  dealer  was  C(.nducting  the  game  for  the  few  persona 
who  were  playing.     He  now  turned  to  "  Georgia,"  and  addressed 
bim  m  somewhat  the  following  stylo.    "What's  your  mimo f " 

"Jacul»,  sah!  but  they  calls  mo  Jake  fur  short," 

"Where  were  you  raised,  Jacobf" 

"  On  de  place,  sah:  ..n  I  cum  down  do  ribber  on  do  siemeboie 
sah."  ' 

"  What  can  you  d(t  on  a  farm,  Jacobf" 

"I'so  knows  all  'bout  dat,  sah." 

"But  what  can  you  do?" 

"I'so  chops  do  wood, an'  dribes  do  cattle,  an'  makes  doK  ico 
plows,  dus  mos  ebryting  dey  tells  mo,  I  dus!"  ' 

"Can  you  wait  on  a  gentleman  ?" 

"No,  sah!  I  dusont  knows  do  gemmena!"  replied  "Georgia  " 
stupidly  scratching  his  wig.  ' 

"Well,  I  think  I'll  take  a  crack  for  Jacob,  anyhow,"  said 
Ashby,  at  the  same  time  roquesting  his  dealer  to  rise  from  tho 
chair,  that  ho  might  take  his  place.  When  ho  had  done  so,  he 
handed  $500  woith  of  checks  to  tho  horse-dealer,  which  he  bet  in 
a  lively  tuno,  at  least  just  as  much  so  as  the  bank  would  allow 
the  limit  being  $25  and  $100.  The  game  progressed  without  a 
word  being  spoken  by  either. 

The  novelty  of  seeing  a  slave  played  for  at  a  faro-bank  was 
something  new  and  exciting  to  the  bystanders,  who  watched  the 
game  with  absorbing  interest.  Tho  sympathies  of  the  crowd 
were  decidedly  with  the  drover,  a  tact  which  could  not  overbal- 
ance Ashby's  luck.  "Tho  boy's  yourn,  Mr.  Ashby,"  said  the 
drover,  rising  from  his  seat  after  losing  his  last  check. 

Ashby,  delighted  at  his  good  fortune,  leaned  back  in  his  seat, 
looked  towara  his  captured  treasure  and  asked  him  jocoselv  how 
he'd  like  him  "for  a  master." 

"Georgia,"  who  had  watched  tho  game  throughout  with  as  much 
interest  as  if  bis  liberty  were  really  at  stake,  straightened  bim- 


384  WANDKRINOS  OF  A  VAOABOND. 

self  up  aua  Bald,  "  I'«o  likes  yer  berry  nu.ch  "«^««'^- .  JT^^j'^ ^^J 
g  0 Ike  ton  bucks  tcr  buy  ia8«clf  ...nu,  ^ -'J.  ^  J  ^r  u 
LuK  do  gom.uou»f    r»o  knows  svUero  .lero'a  a  bully  suit  fur 

'tSyTr;;.! 'at  bis  Utoly  won  cluvttol  with  blank  astonlsU- 

'^:^::^zz  r  :j::irn«bby.  wi.  uad  n. « 

to  ."c'riiles  on  tUo  faces  of  ^--^^^l^lll^f  t?;;^^-^ 
Rvllv  and  his  temper  not  beinj?  at  all  improved  oy  a 
rS' '^e  cintinu(!;i.  "you  Impudent  black  scoundrel !  Ill  gl^o 
you  ten  lashes  with  a  raw -bide."  „  ^    ^  j 

time,  old  boy,  but  you've  got  mo  at  last,    erica     u     b 
from  the  room  without  speakmg  a  single  wora,  w  u  e 

negro  balls,  tbat  the    cm  e  ^^^^^  ostracism 

moreover,  pass  an  ®^o°'"t'  reached  the  ears 

any  way  'f  «'-f«^''f  j]'.^:  J.  aeorgS,"^  to  win  it,  would 

of  Ashby,  he  concluded  that    «eorS>a'  '      «.i:„8"8uch  as  the 
try  some  masquerading  scheme  upon  ^^^  ,"f' ,   8"cn 
one  by  which  he  bad  been  so  cleverly  nnpo  ed  upon     He  tti  re 
fore  L  a  «Py  t« --^^,^^*^^^^^^^^^  tasftireman 

SriTe?  ^yin^'etrn  t  Louis  and  New  Orleans.    Ec 


a.  Won't  yor 
r)  ho  look  nlco 
Uy  suit  fur  tcu 

lank  nstonlsh- 

hiitl  not  fiiilod 
lycrs  at  Juko'a 
by  It.  »' That's 
idrel!  I'll  glvo 

sport,"  retorted 

tearing  off  his 

"Ashby,  you 

,fter  mo  a  long 

led  "  Georgia," 

JO  of  "Georgia" 
soon  as  he  had 
Izo  tlio  fact  that 
cane  and  limped 
i,  while  deafen- 
pursued  him  far 
'  In  public  again 

Ashby  revenged 
he  had  played  so 

BO  rudely  at  the 
ded  not  to  admit 
ing  this  ostracism 
)ne  of  them,  and, 
ig  expelled,  or  in 
reached  the  ears 
sr  to  win  it,  would 
ilgs,"  such  as  the 
upon.    He  there- 
to his  aid  a  free 
aan  was  a  fireman 
New  Orleans.    He 


SHARP   ritACTICE.  ||| 

waa  a  willing  t<K)l  In  tlio  hands  of  A.sliby,  or,  In  f^t.  In  the  lianda 
of  any  one  who  would  pay  him  libciaiiy.  Ho  would  stick  at 
nothing,  was  capablo  ofconiniittlng  every  crime  in  tho  calendar, 
If  ho  thoiiKlit  lio  could  in  any  way  oscapo  punishment,  and 
could  whip  everything  in  the  siiapo  of  a  man  in  tho  MisslsHlnul 
valley.  '  ^ 

"Georgia,"  in  tho  character  of  a  nigger  awoll,  succeeded  ad- 
niiral)ly  at  tho  "culled  pusHon's"  ball,  lie  spt-nt  his  money  liko 
a  prince,  danced  gracolully,  and  made  himself  generally  agreea- 
ble to  the  colored  beautiCH.  Tho  flattering  reception  he  received 
from  them,  and  their  evident  admiration  of  tho  stranger,  roused 
tho  jealousy  of  the  "  bucks,"  but  their  extreme  politeness  in  such 
cases,  and  tho  sanctity  of  tho  place,  would  not  allow  them  to 
show  any  rudeness  to  tho  well-dressed  stranger  openly,  but 
"Who  dat  niggerf"  "Who  os  'imf"  "Who  knows  'imf"  was 
buzzed  about  among  tho  colored  beaux,  but  these  questions  no 
one  could  answer.  "Georgia"  was  an  unknown.  Tho  chances 
were  certainly  that  ho  would  win  his  hot,  besides  having  the 
unbounded  happiness  of  passing  an  evening  in  the  society  of  the 
colored  belles;  but 

"  PlfMure*  nro  llkn  popples  uprend, 
You  aeixu  the  flower,  ita  bloom  U  shod." 

Buffalo  Frank  had  his  eye  on  "Georgia."  He  had  not  lost 
sight  of  him  for  a  single  moment  since  his  arrival,  but  he  was 
waiting  for  him  to  leave  the  presence  of  the  "ladies."  Tho  mo- 
ment he  withdrew  from  the  ball-room  to  the  refreshment  room, 
Frank  seized  the  opportunity,  stepped  up  to  him  and  inquired, 
superciliously,  "Wharyou  frum,  niggahf" 

"Frum  do  ladies,  sah! "  returned  "  Goorgia,"with  his  politest 
bow. 

"Yer  looks  a  berry  shlney  nigger,"  retorted  Frank,  contempt- 
ously ;  "  dus  yer  massa  buys  dese  close,  or  dus  yer  steel  em? "at 
the  same  time  rubbing  his  hand  over  Georgia's  coat-sleeve. 

"Look  heah,  sah!"  said  "Georgia,"  Indignantly  straightening 
hnnself  up  till  he  reached  tho  height  of  about  five  feet  six  inch- 
es, and  slapping  his  breast  with  his  open  palm,  "Dis  chile's 
his  own  massa,  and  buys  his  own  close,  and  what's  more,  he's  got 
de  sope  to  do  it  wld." 

"  WJiar  dub  ye  git  de  sope  T  "  demanded  Frank. 


■!<pwm 


B86  WAHUKKIifGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

•Tae  tears  de  ribber  wide  open  fur  it  on  de  bully  Scott,"  re- 

'^''-De  buXtott,  hey f  Dat's  do  bote  ycr  ou,  i«  it?  I'se  been 
lookin'  fur  8.mo  o'  dat  bote's  niggers  solho  ti.uc  '  said  ^  •■'vul^  at 
the  same  time  giving  him  a  siu..--  under  the  eye  that  sent 
him  spmwling  on  tlae  floor,  where  he  gave  him  a  most  un.nore,- 
funacking  and  thumping-  Through  the  interterence  of  son  e  of 
the  "bucks,"  he  managed  to  make  his  escape,  almost  m  rags, 
with  the  loss  of  his  hat  and  wig. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

LEXINGTON  BACES. 

About  a  week  after  our  arrival  in  Cincinnati,  the  Major  one 
morning  introduced  me  to  a  gentleman  by  the  "ame^.f  Mn 
George  Roberts,  a  resident  of  Lexmgton,  Ky.    Mr.  Robeits 
was  f  mixed  gambler,  a  man  of  means  ^01^^^  P^^^^-.i  ^ 
ington,  and  a  person  of  some  importance  there     He  ^^^^^^^^^ 
fortv-flve  years  of  age,  married,  and  was  the  father  of  seveial 
Sown  up  eWldren.    Ke  speculated  in  slaves,  horses,  and  mules 
froves  of  which  he  took  each  winter  to  the  New  Orleans  market^ 
ie  called  himself  a  lawyer,  though  he  never  pranced  at  the 
ba-  and  took  p.n  active  part  in  the  local  pohtics  of  his  place, 
and  an  intt..st  In  any  faVo-bank  which  happened  to  stnke  his 
?ancY  and  wl.ere  he  thought  there  was  some  money  to  be  made. 
HrwrJond  of  racing,  and  had  at  various  ti-s  owued  so- 
eood  race-horses,  did  not  object  to  taking  a  hand  a*  P«»^«'-  »; 
?^g  If  he  found  ^n  easy  game,  and  had  a  P"g°^>«»J,f  ^P^^^  «," 
for  fichtlng  the  tigor.    Otherwise  he  was  a  peaceably  inclined, 
S  mannered  urdlvldual  enough.    He  was.  In  fact,  in  for  any- 
SJmrTmake  money,  an  article  for  which  he  entertained  the 
i  uSCnded  reve;enee;  but  had  still  so  great  a  regard  for 
SrreSton  that  he  would  not  for  the  world  that  there  should 
S,  r  rached  to  It  the  odious  name  of  f  ™^J-' -^J^J^- 
ever  he  took  stock  with  members  of  that  profession  m  their  bus 
inl  it  was  with  the  express  understanding  hat  his  connection 
S'them  should  be  strictly  under  the  rose.    The  M.^or  and 


D. 

)  bully  Scott,"  re- 

,  is  it?  I'se  been 
3,"  sivid  Frank,  at 
the  eye  tliat  sent 
1 11  most  uninorci- 
fereiice  of  some  of 
e,  almost  la  rags, 


lati,  the  Major  one 

the  name  of  Mr. 

Ky.  Mr.  Roberts 
ig  property  in  I..3X- 
;re.  He  was  about 
le  father  of  several 
,  horses,  and  mules, 
:e\v  Orleans  market, 
er  practiced  at  the 
clitics  of  his  place, 
)pened  to  strike  his 

money  to  be  made. 

times  owned  some 
a  hand  at  poker  or 
gnacious  disposition 

peaceably  inclined, 
.,  in  fact,  in  for  any- 

he  entertained  the 
0  great  a  regard  for 
•Id  that  there  should 
gambler,  and  when- 
ofession  in  their  bus- 
g  hat  his  connection 
)se.    The  Major  and 


LEXINGTON  KACES.  397 

himself  were  acquaintances  of  louj;  standing,  and  he  had  more 
U.ua  once  been  secretly  concerned  with  the' ionner  I,       " 

du  t.  L      '"''  "'  "'^''•"'""'''  ""'^••'  "«  ^•'^'f'^^1  occasionally 
market.       '^'""^ ''''• '"""^"^^  to  purchase  slaves  fur  the  southern 

nn!^Lf"^'""  7*''"  *''"^'''"'  *^'"*  ^''^  ^'"J'"-  •■^"fl  nivself  should  try 
our  fortune  m  he  city  of  Lexington,  whore,  he  Informed  us  n^ 
faro-bank  existed  at  that  time,  but  material  in  plenty  for  sue" 
cessfu lly  bu.l.ling  a  good  game.    Addo.l  to  these  encoura '  ng 
facts,  the  races  would  commence  tfcoro  in  afew  weeks,  and  would 
of  course  draw  many  strangers  from  all  parts  of  the  SMrroanding 
country     "  Iwiltake  a  third  interest  in  y„ur  bank,  plavaga    sf 
t  myself,  and  also  intro,luce  to  the  game  many  valua?.le,^"rs 
but  under  no  c.rcumstaiices  nuist  it  become  known  that  I  am  in 
any  way  concerned  in  the  business."    Upon  being  reminded  by 
the  Major  that  faro-dealers  had  on  divers  occasions  reeled 
pretty  rough  treatment  at  the  hands  of  the  Lexington  authori- 
ties he  answered,  decisively,  "  Have  no  fear  about  that ;  you  at- 

On  the  strength  of  this  assurance,  and  the  flattering  prospects 
he  opened  before  us.  we  concluded  to  start  for  Lexington  on  the 

withm  two  or  three  days,  at  the  farthest.     Ho  furnished  the  Ma- 
jor with  an  introductory  letter  to  a  Mr.  Baxter,  of  Lexh,.ton 
who  he  assured  us  would  render  us  every  assistance  in  his  powei^ 
in%'rr2;t,r''^  --'  ^-'^-^'"^^  it.  and  getting  tubings 
Arriving  in  Lexington,  we  found  Mr.   Baxter  everything  he 

SrS'T'"'"''''-.  H'' P'-"^"'«d  f^'-u^a  room  in  the  most 
desirable  vocation  m  the  city,  caused  it  to  be  properly  cleaned 

ter  o,?;:i  ^\}\^'^ond.hmd,  but  good  and  substantial;  and  af. 
ter.oure.«nTblishment,  which  contained  but  a  single  r^om,  w,xs 
fitted  up  and  arranged  for  the  reception  of  our  friends,  our  en 
tire  outlay  aid  not  exceed  two  hundred  dollars.  By  the  time  we 
were  ready  to  open  our  game,  Roberts  had  returned,  and  handed 
«s  one  thousand  dollars  as  his  portion  of  the  bank  monev  He 
promised  he  would  introduce  to  us  what  gentlemen  faro-players 
he  was  acquainted  with,  and  would  a-so  himself  play  against' the 
game,  and  that  his  play  should  be  alegitimate  one.    He  als- ^d- 


388 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAUABOND. 


Vised  US  to  pav  no  attention  to  whatever  stories  we  might  bear 
concerning  iutorfereuco  by  the  authorities,  but  to  place  implicit 
confidence  in  bim,  as  he  should  t-ko  measures  for  ensurnig  oiu- 

^'lcxSou,  though  but  a  small  town,  contained  many  faro- 
nlavers  some  of  whom  were  members  of  the  most  respectable 
families  in  the  place,  and  who,  as  soon  as  thoy  ascortamed  a 
baThad  been  set  up,  called  and  paid  their  respects  to  us  so 
th"did  not  want  for  customers.    Mr.  Roberts,  as  he  had 
IromTscd  introduced  several  valuable  ones,  and  himself  played 
Strba^r^  order  to  encourage  his  friends  to  do  so,  but  small, 
SnJt  the  course  of  a  week's  time  lost  three  hundred  dollars. 
We  onened  our  game  generally  at  about  two  o'clock    P.  M., 
Ised  t?orsuppfr,and\fterwards  run  the  bank  until  one  or 
two  o'clockin  the  morning.    If  none  of  our  patrons  Im.ug     to 
our  bank  large  suras,  they  came  often  and  frequently  i  the  bank 
was  able  to  beat  them,  and  they  showed  no  ill  J^'^P^'  '^v  .ot 
thPir  losses  nor  hung  growling  round  the  tables  after  the>  got 

freoiienters  of  the  "wolf-traps  "  in  Cincinnati.  , 

AS  the  time  for  the  races  drew  near,  our  business  rapuUym- 
creld  and,  as  the  Major  W.XS  obliged  to  divide  h.s  attention 
between  our  business  and  the  different  stables  of  racers  which 
were  now  eonstantly  arriving,  and  cultivating  the  acquamtance 
Tmtod  turfmen,  I  was  compelled  to  secure  the  services  of 
fyoanggentlema;  resident  of  the  city  to  assist  me  m  conduct- 
fDcthe  game.    Even  B^borts  was  no  longer  seen  lA  air  place, 
but  tWs  S  not  strike  me  as  anything  strange  his  ser  aces  be- 
Sg  no  longer  required.    While  building  up  tlie  gamo  and  so 
ong  as  Ss  aid  waL  needed,  he  had  done  e-rytl»ng  in  his  pow- 
er to  help  us,  but  now  that  our  business  had  gotten  fairly  estab- 
lished his  visits  grew  less  frequent.  „  .    ^ 

AmonL  the  many  introduced  to  us  by  Mr.  Roberts,  was  .one 
cot  Bowles  of  Blmore,  who  had.on  t^he  race-track  a  stable 
of  horsr  He  w..s  a  turfman,  attended  all  the  race-meemigs 
throughout  the  South  and  Southwest  with  ns  horses.  WLer- 
ever  he  could,  he  made  it  a  point  to  secure  the  gambling  pr.vi- 
w  on  Trace-track,  and  had  engaged  it  for  the  presen  ,.eet- 
nf  on  the  Lexington  course.  In  this  gentleman's  ..am  besides 
Sf  tmSeii  rubber8,riders,  and  racers,  there  followed  a  gang 


ve  might  jear 
place  impl'cit 
r  ensuring  oiu- 

ed  many  faro- 
)8t  respectable 
ascertained  a 
pects  to  us,  so 
rts,  as  he  had 
himself  played 

0  so,  but  small, 
uidred  dollars, 
a'clock,  P.  M., 
li  until  one  or 
■ons  brought  to 
iitly  if  the  bank 
nper  because  of 

1  after  they  got 
laracters  as  the 

ness  rapidly  in- 
lo  his  attention 
>f  racers,  which 
le  acquaintance 
the  services  of 
me  in  conduct- 
on  ill  >.  ur  place, 
his  ser  'ices  be- 
le  gamo,  and  so 
liing  in  his  pow- 
tten  fairly  t.=»tab- 

Roberts,  was  .one 
^,e-track  a  stable 
le  race-meetings 
I  horses.    WLer- 

garabling  privi- 
the  present  "ceet- 
in's  .,iain,  be,?ides 

followed  a  gang 


LEXINGTON  KAC£S. 

of  the  lowest  sharpers,  who  were  in  thoie  days  in  the  habit  of 
infesting  race-coun-  .,  fairs,  etc.     This  small  army,  numbering 
more  than  twenty  persons,  was  compoi^'jd  of  strap-players,  dice- 
coggers,  thimble-riggers,  marked-card  "vingt-et-un"  dealers, 
snap  roulette  players,  and  their  carpers.     The  Colonel,  as  I 
have  before  mentioned,  was  accustomed  for  a  certain  sum  of 
money  to  secure  tlio  exclusive  privilege  of  a  course,  v;here  he 
placed  his  worthy  retainers,  each  to  ply  his  special  vocation.  He 
furnished  to  each  a  table  and  a  certain  sum  of  bank-money, 
with  which  to  make  a  show,  nothing  more,  for  at  one  of  these 
tables  the  only  earthly  chance  a  greenhorn  would  have  to  make 
a  winning,  was  to  snatch  what  money  was  in  sight,  and  thrash 
the  operators  and  their  cappers  and  make  off  with  it,  and  none 
but  greenhorns  ever  played  at  these  games.    The  busiest  mo- 
ments of  Col.  Bowles'  existence  were  during  a  race-meeting. 
Besides  the  care  of  his  trainers,  rubbers,  riders,  aud  race-horses,' 
he  was  obliged  to  watch  his   sharpers  to  see  that  they  did  not 
"sink"  on  him.     "Knocking  down"  on  their  "pals"  was  a 
regular  part  of  the  vocation  of  these  gentlemen,  and  well  was  the 
Colonel  aware  of  it.    He  had  secret  spies  set  upon  them  during 
their  labors,  who  reported  to  him  their  every  suspicious  move- 
ment, aud  should  he  find  any  of  them  net  willing  to  "rake 
square,"  he  would  fall  upon  the  unluckj  wight  with  a  heavy 
hickory  cane,  which  was  his  constant  companion;  but  having  a 
hard  setto  deal  with,  in  his  frequent  encounters  ho  sometimes 
got  hold  of  a  customer  a  little  too  tough  for  him,  and  came  out 
of  the  meUe  decidedly  second  best.     At  the  time  of  which  I 
write  Col.  Bowles  was  an  entire  stranger  to  me  except  by  name 
and  I  was  perfectly  ignorant  both  of  his  character  and  his  method 
of  doing  business,  as  was  also  the  Major.  He  was  a  abort,  heavy- 
set  man,  rather  inclined  to  corpulency,  and  though  far  up  in  the 
fifties,  looked  younger.     His  stumpy  bandy-legs  supported  a 
powerful  frame,  while  poised  upon  a  short,  thick,  red-looking 
neck,  which  barely  protruded  above  a  pair  of  broad,  round  shoul- 
ders, was  a  large  bullet-snaped  head.    His  big  round  face  con- 
tained a  pair  of  small  restless  black  eyea,  which  seemed  to  be 
watching  everything  and  everybody  at  the  same  time.     His 
face  was  deeply  pock-marked,  besides  being  otherwise  cicatrized 
by  several  ugly  scars,  the  relics,  doubtless,  of  some  of  those  en- 
countfcis  into  which  his  uagovomable  passions  were  constantly 


390 


WANDERINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 


leading  bim.    The  giuiueiits  ot  tbo  Coloiiol  were  of  the  richest 
uiiiluriul,  but  "hoivsoy  "  iu  liiee.Mlremc— ;i  stylo  iimcb  attected  at 
that  period  by  tbo  more  iguoraiit  class  of  tiiri'meu.    lu  tbo  or- 
miuiontal  Hue  a  fine  brilliant  sparkled  iu  bis  ruflled  shirt -bosom, 
aud  another  adorned  the  stumpy  little  finger  of  one  of  liis  coarse 
hands,  aud  a  heavily  embossed  gold  fob-chain,  with  a  ponderous 
seal  attached,  dangled  against  his  thigh.    In  bis  hand  he  con- 
stantly carried  the  highly  polished  hickory  cane  before  mentioned, 
adorned  with  a  golden  head.    When  seated,  this  weapon  or  or- 
nament, fori  am  ignorant  in  which  hgbt  it  was  viewed  by  its 
possessor,  rested  between  the  legs  of  the  Colonel,  and  when  ho 
slept  was  close  to  his  pillow.     Few  men  have  a  more  exalted 
opinion  of  their  own  standing  and  worth  than  had  Col.  Bowles. 
He  knew  everybody  and  everything,  whether  worth  knowing  or 
not,  and  had  the  most  contemptible  opinion  of  everybody  poorer 
than  himself.    His  manners  wore  coarse  and  repulsive,  and 
towards  those  whom  he  considered  his  inferiors,  pompous  and 
overbearing  in  the  extrem-.  while  to  the  wealthy  or  influential 
he  was  cringing  and  obseciuious.     His  language,  which,  to  say 
the  very  least,  did  not  smack  of  the  drawing-room,  was  garnish- 
ed by  a  profusion  of  oaths  and  not  a  few  obscene  expressions. 
He  was  completely  versed  in  the  various  qualities  of  negroes, 
horses,  dogs,  and  knew  the  several  rules  appertaining  to  cock- 
fighting,  horse-racing,  and  card-playing,  by  heart,  and  whenever 
a  discussion  on  any  of  the  subjects  arose  where  he  was  present, 
the  Colonel  was  in  his  glory  and  monopolized  the  conversation, 
till,  to  use  an  old-fashioned  expression, "  no  one  could  get  a  word 

in  edgewise." 

Although  so  entirely  t'.ssimilar  in  natures,  manners,  and  liaoits, 
an  intimacy  to  me  unaccountable  sprung  up  between  Col.  Bowles 
and  M^ior  Jenks,  perhaps  because  I  had  taken  a  dislike  to  him 
upon  his  first  in^roduction  to  our  place,  and  had  seen  nothing 
upon  closer  acquaintance  calculated  to  soften  or  eradicate  my 
boyish  prejudices.  He  monopolized  the  r  :)8t  of  the  Majors— 
I  was  about  to  say,  leisure  hours-but  I  shall  speak  more  cor- 
rectly when  I  say  the  most  of  tbo  Major's  time,  for  it  seemed  as 
if  that  chivalrous  gentleman  had  not  a  moment  reserved  to  him- 
self except  when  he  slept.  As  to  the  bank  and  myself,  we  no 
longer  seemed  to  occupy  any  place  in  his  thoughts,  and  the  only 
time  I  eiyoyed  his  society  was  while  seated  at  our  meals,  at  the 


of  the  richest 
ucb  atl'ected  at 
;u.  lu  tho  or- 
3d  shirt  -bosom, 
le  of  Ilia  coarse 
th  a  ponderous 
1  hand  he  con- 
fore  mentioned, 
I  weapon  or  or- 
s  viewed  by  its 
1,  and  when  he 
a  more  exalted 
ad  Col.  Bowles, 
rth  knowing  or 
'erybody  poorer 

repulsive,  and 
3,  pompous  and 
ly  or  influential 
e,  which,  to  say 
m,  was  garnish- 
sne  expressions, 
ties  of  negroes, 
;aining  to  cock- 
t,  and  whenever 
he  was  present, 
he  conversation, 
jould  get  a  word 

ners,  and  habits, 
rcen  Col.  Bowles 
a  dislike  to  him 
ad  seen  nothing 
or  eradicate  my 
of  the  Major's— 
speak  more  coi- 
for  it  seemed  as 
reserved  to  him- 
nd  myself,  we  no 
hts,  and  the  only 
our  meals,  at  the 


IJIXINGTON  KACES. 


391 


hotel  table.    Col.  Bowles  had  no  appetite  unless  he  occupied 
the  chair  by  tho  side  of  the  Major,  and  in  these  hai)py  moments 
he  entertained  his  friend  with  tho  pedigrees  of  celebrated  race- 
horses; the  qualities  of  fine  breeds  of  dogs;  his  wonderful  ex- 
ploits on  the  turf,  in  the  cock-pit,  and  at  the  gaming-table. 
Tho  Colonel  always  figured  as  winner  in  these  tales;  at  least  be 
never  figured  in  any  other  role  in  any  of  them,  except  that  of  a 
victorious  hero.    His  field  of  operation  liad  been  confined  en- 
tirely to  the  Southern  States,  of  whose  productiors  and  people, 
their  manners,  habits,  aud  wealth,  he  had  the  most  unbounded 
and  minute  knowledge.    But  from  this  generous  and  chivalrlo 
race  ho  had  sought  as  associates  but  a  few  of  the  wealthiest, 
most  renowned  and  powerful,  who  were  either  lordly  planters, 
the  owners  of  untold  acres  and  thousands  of  slaves,  or  men  hold- 
ing high  political  positions,  whose  confidence  he  had  won  by  his 
fascinating  qualities  as  companion,  his  incorruptible  honesty, 
and  his  wonderful  brains.    "Why,  damn  me,  M^jor,"  he  would 
exclaim,  getting  enthusiastic  on  his  subject,  "if  there  ain't  Judge 
L'lcper,  o'  Charleston,  that  'ud  put  up  his  last  nigger  overy  time 
on  my  mar'  Molly  Spiker,  if  I  told  'im  to  go  it !"    The  Colonel's 
words  may  be  written  down,  but  his  tone  and  manner  defy  de- 
scription.   Again  and  again  at  the  dinner-table  were  the  ears  of 
tho  Major,  and  everybody  present  besides,  regaled  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  celebrated  main  of  cocks  fought  by  himseif  and 
General  Simpkins,  of  Georgia.    The  match  was  for  $25,000,  and 
a  $1,000  bet  on  each  fight,  fought  between  Georgia  and  South 
Carolina.    "  One  o'  ther  greatest  victories  ever  heard  on.  Major! 
Damn  me  if  I  don't  think  a  million  dollars  changed  hands  on 't !" 
It  is  quite  probable  that  the  Colonel  had  told  this  story  so 
often  that  he  really  believed  it  himself,  like  the  convict  in  the 
Missouri  State's  prison,  who,  during  his  five  years'  incarceration 
in  that  delectable  institution,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  telling  bis 
fellow  prisoners  that  he  had  deposited  in  tho  State  Bank  of  Mi8« 
souri,  $10,000.    Having  regained  his  liberty,  he  immediately 
made  for  St.  Louis,  drew  a  check  for  the  amount,  and  proceeded 
to  the  bank  mentioned,  and  presented  it  to  the  paying-teller, 
without  a  doubt  that  it  would  be  honored;  he  had  become  so 
sure,  from  the  constant  repetition  of  the  story,  that  it  was  true. 
"  Jack,  Col.  Bowles  desires  to  take  an  interest  in  our  room. 
He  will  place  Mr.  Smiley  hi  it  to  assist,  and  between  them  both 


392 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


they  will  take  ono-half  the  game.  The  races  commence  on 
Monday,  and  we  shall  have  a  heavy  play  during  the  week,  and 
may  very  probably  be  compelled  to  open  auother  bank;  there- 
foi-o  you  see  it  will  require  more  labor,  and  also  more  capital  to 
carry  on  the  game,  than  we  have  got.  Mr.  Smiley  is  an  agrci>- 
able  gentleman,  and  capable  of  getting  along  smoothly  with  the 
crowd  of  players  we  shall  probably  have  to  entertain." 

These  remarks  were  addressed  to  me  by  the  Major  one  day, 
before  the  hour  at  which  wo  generally  opened  our  game,  and 
when  no  one  was  present  but  ourselves.  The  Mr.  Smiley  alluded 
to  was  a  tall,  sicklv,  modest-looking  individual,  extremely  reti- 
cent and  unsocial  in  his  manners,  and  seemed  to  care  for  no 
one  on  earth  but  himself.  Though  an  attache  of  Col.  Bowles,  he 
seldom  paid  him,  or  in  fact  any  one  else,  the  customary  recogni- 
tion required  by  courtesy  from  one  acquaintance  to  another. 
The  bond  which  bound  this  worthy  couple  together  was  at  that 
time  a  subject  of  some  speculation  to  me,  but  I  finally  gave  it  up 
as  a  mystery  beyond  my  solution. 

Though  prepared  for  receiving  from  the  Major  at  all  tiit  ^s  tne 
most  whimsical  and  ridiculous  suggestions,  the  present  proposi- 
tion somewhat  startled  me;  but  without  showing  any  feeling 
upon  the  subject,  I  quietly  aaked  him  if  he  had  saivl  "".,  t...:'? 
about  it  to  Mr.  Roberts. 

"No,  sir,"  he  answered,  with  some  slight  asperity)  '-rve  not 
seen  Mr.  Roberts  for  more  than  a  week." 

"  Have  you  forgotten,  sir,"  I  continued  in  the  same  quiet  tone, 
"that  he  owns  one-third  of  this  game,  and  that  it  is  under  his 

protection  f" 

"I  have  learned,  sir,  that  his  protection  ia  powerless,  and  our 
ffame  would  have  been  broken  up  long  ago  had  it  not  been  for 
the  influence  of  Col.  Bowles  with  Mr.  Dawson,  the  City  Marshal. 
He  has  more  weight  with  that  gentleman  than  fifty  Roberta.  No, 
•sir,  we  want  no  dead-head  in  our  game  any  longer.  He's  no 
benefit  to  us,  none  at  all;  so  let's  settle  up  the  game  and  give 
him  his  money.  The  Colonel  will  protect  our  game,  if  it  needs 
protection,  which  is  unlikely,  and  put  up  bis  money,  and  don't 
want  any  one  to  do  his  work  for  him.  He's  the  man  we  want, 
not  Mr.  Roberts." 

"I  can  now  see,"  T  said,  "what  I  was  somewhat  at  a  loss  to 
determine  before,  why  the  Colonel  has  been  so  very  attentive  to 
you,  Major."  • 


jommence  on 
lie  week,  and 
bank;  there- 
ore  capital  to 
sy  is  an  agreo- 
othly  with  the 
lin." 

lajor  one  day, 
lur  game,  and 
Smiley  alluded 
xtremely  roti- 
to  care  for  no 
Col.  Bowles,  he 
jmary  recogni- 
ice  to  another, 
er  was  at  that 
lally  gave  it  up 

at  all  tin:  ^.s  the 
resent  proposi- 
Qg  any  feeling 
I  said  ""/.Li:' (J 

rity)  '•'I've  not 

same  quiet  tone, 
it  it  is  under  his 

rerless,  and  our 
(J  it  not  been  for 
ae  City  Marshal, 
ity  Roberts.  No, 
longer.  He's  no 
game  and  give 
paae,  if  it  needs 
loney,  and  don't 
le  man  we  want, 

hat  at  a  loss  to 
very  attentive  to 


LBXIHGTON  RACES. 

"  I  suppose,  sir,"  said  the  Mr\jor,  reddening  up  considerably, 
"you  know  what  you',  j  talking  about?"' 

"Perfectly  well,  Major;  and  I  will  also  let  you  know,  if  you 
will  listen  to  nie,  in  a  very  few  words." 

•*  Very  well ;  go  ( n,  sir,"  oxclaimod  the  Major,  in  his  most 
digniflod  manner. 

"The  Colonel  saw  that  wo  had  built  up  a  valuable  game,  and 
is  now  anxious  to  get  a  share  in  it.  He  was  here  before  wo  came, 
had  money  and  a  ftvro-dealer  at  hand.  Now,  why  didn't  ho  open 
a  game  for  himself?  Eitlier  lie  was  afraid  of  the  interference  of 
the  autlioritiea,  or  that  ho  could  not  get  players.  Now,  I  don't 
think,  after  coming  hero  under  the  auspices  of  Mr.  Roberts,  and 
entering  into  partnership  with  him,  it  would  be  fair  to"  declare 
him  out  of  the  game  just  at  this  moment,  when  it's  well  built  up 
and  likely  to  make  more  nwnoy  than  it  has  ever  before ;  and  it's 
more  than  likely  ho  won't  stand  any  such  treatment.  I  have  no 
more  interest  in  this  room  than  I  want,  and  I'm  not  going  to  give 
one  cent  of  it  away  to  Colonel  Bowles,  or  anybody  else." 

The  Major  was  not  prepared  for  such  opposition  to  his  pet 
scheme.  Though  his  face  reddened  with  anger,  and  he  moved 
uneasily  in  his  cliair,  he  restrained  himself  by  an  effort,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  try  what  ettoct  a  little  persuasion  would  have  on  me. 
" '.Vhy,  my  dear  Jack,  Colonel  Bowles  is  a  man  of  wealth  and 
honor  I  He  is  known  far  and  near  as  a  noted  turfman  and  sports- 
man. His  friendship  alone  is  worth  a  fortune  to  any  gambler.  He 
has  the  influence  requisite  to  place  you  in  moneyed  circles,  t  ^Lere 
you  can  make  a  fortune  in  a  year;  such  opportunities,  sir,  a  man 
seldom  meets  with  twice  in  a  lifetime.  Now,  sir,  Mr.  Roberts, 
whom  I  know  well,  cares  for  nobody  but  just  himself;  he  knew 
there  was  a  faro-game  here  and  no  one  to  deal  it ;  we  answered 
his  purpose  as  well  as  any,  so  he  brought  us  here,  as  lie  would 
have  done  any  others  whom  he  found  as  capable  of  assistinghim 
to  work  up  a  good  game  as  we.  He  has  not  been  near  us  for 
more  than  a  week,  and  he  is  of  no  benefit  to  us  whatever,  that  I 
can  see,  and  I  don't  feel  disposed  to  work  for  such  a  man ;  be- 
sides, sir,  he  has  deceived  us  by  telling  us  he  was  able  to  pro- 
tect us,  when  such  was  not  the  case.  Our  game  would  have  been 
broken  up  some  days  ago,  had  it  not  been  for  Colonel  Bowles, 
sir!" 

"  I  hope,  Major,"  I  replied,  "that  you  have  not  so  far  forgotten 


894 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGArOND. 


yourself  as  to  tell  Colonel  Howies  that  Mr.  Roberts  is  interested 
with  us,  or  that  ho  is  protoctiug  our  game,  after  hia  particularly 
requesting  us  not  to  do  so ! " 

"I  have  never  ao  far  forgotten  myself,  sir,  as  to  commit  an 
ungentlcmanly  action,"  replied  the  Major,  in  his  stiffest  manner. 
"  I  never  betray  confldeuco,  sir  I  Mr.  Roberta'  secret  is  bla  own, 
not  mine  to  give  away." 

"Pardon  mo,  Major,  but  when  you  spoko  of  Colonel  Bowles 
having  kept  the  Marshal  from  breaking  up  our  game,  and  said 
that  Mr.  Roberts  was  unable  to  protect  it,  1  feared  that  you  had 
unguardedly  mentioned  to  the  Colonel  tho  relations  existing  be- 
tween ourselves  and  Mr.  Roberts." 

" I  have  not,  sir,"  rejoined  the  dignified  Major.     "Have  never 
mentioned  tho  name  of  Mr.  Roberts  in  tho  presence  of  Colonel 
Bowles.    Tho  latter  gentleman  casually  mentioned  to  me,  some 
days  ago,  that  Dawson,  tho  Marshal,  had  spoken  to  him  about 
our  rooms,  and  said  it  was  his  duty  to  close  up  our  game,  and 
was  oidy  prevented  from  doing  so  by  tho  representations  of  the 
Colonel,  who  exerted  all  his  influence,  and  finally  wrung  fromhim 
hia  consent  to  allow  us  to  go  on  until  tho  termination  of  the 
races,  providing  no  complaints  were  made  against  us  by  any  of 
tho  citizens.    Now,  Jack,  my  boy,"  he  continued,  "  you  see  just 
how  matters  stand.     Because  you  dislike  Colonel  Bowles,  you 
shouldn't  stand  in  your  own  light ;  he's  a  kind-hearted  man,  and 
has  on  several  occasions  spoken  very  kindly  of  you ;  he  says  you 
certainly  have  talents,  and  all  you  want  is  good  pilotage.    Don't 
treat  his  advances  cavalierly !  he  is  powerful,  can  make  and  un- 
make, and  the  friendship  of  such  men  is  not  so  easily  gained, 
that  one  may  cast  it  aside  at  will  for  a  mere  boyish  prejudice. 
Another  opportunity  like  the  present  may  never  again  occur, 
sir,  and  I  beg  of  you.  Jack,  don't  throw  it  away  if  you  have  the 
slightest  respect  for  the  opinion  or  good  wishes  of  Major  George 

"Major,  I  don't  like  Colonel  Bowles,  that's  true;  but  I  have 
seen  such  men  a»he  is  before,  and,  with  all  due  deference,  allow 
me  to  say  that  I  believe  you  are  his  dupe,  just  as  you  were  that 
of  Simpson  and  McGov«>rn.  Men  don't  show  such  violent  friend- 
ship for  one  another  on  short  acquaintance,  unless  they  have  got 
some  purpose  of  their  own  to  servo  in  doing  so.  I  certainly  think 
Colonel  Bowles  has  got  a  large  bundle  of  private  and  particular 


s  is  interested 
la  particuliirly 

to  commit  an 
tiffest  manner, 
cret  is  bis  own, 

;.'olontl  Bowles 
game,  and  said 
d  that  you  had 
08  existing  bo- 

' '  Have  never 
jnco  of  Colonel 
ed  to  me,  some 
1  to  him  about 
our  game,  and 
uitatious  of  the 
wrung  fromhim 
nination  of  the 
st  us  l)y  any  of 
,  "you  see  just 
lel  Bowles,  you 
jarted  man,  and 
3U ;  he  says  you 
jilotage.  Don't 
1  make  and  un- 
10  easily  gained, 
lyish  prejudice, 
er  again  occur, 
if  you  have  the 
)f  Major  George 

rue ;  but  I  have 
deference,  allow 
s  you  were  that 
!h  violent  friend- 
iss  they  have  got 
I  certainly  think 
e  and  particular 


LBXINOTON  BACKS.  ggg 

vonr  t  ?^"^  '"*''  ^'™""^  '"  '"'  "'°  «»S8*^«tions  he  is  making  for 
your  and  luy  government,  and  that  of  our  game.  Uow  do  voi 
know  whether  he  is  telling  you  the  truth,  when  he  says  Dawso^ 
wanted  to  break  up  our  bank  f    You  have  nothing  but  his  woS 

hll  ir  M^*""'  ''""?  ""'■  ""''^'•'^"•ould  leave  his^„<,nev  in  thU 
bank  if  there  existed  the  rem<,test  danger  of  it's  beiugVaided- 
he's  too  sensible  a  man  for  that.  Didn't  he  warn  u  tt  b  leve 
no  stones  wo  m  ght  hoar,  but  to  rely  on  his  protection  f  A  fw 
as  Colonel  Bowles' wealth  and  influence  are  concerned  Idon*[ 
beheve  it  will  over  benefit  us  in  the  smallest  degree  3  on  one 
thn.g  I  an.  determined,  and  that  is  that  ho  is  not  gomg  to Tnter! 
fere  with  me  or  my  business.    I  am  now  going  to  Mr  Kobem' 

the  nature  of  your  proposition,  ho  is  willing  to  accent  it  I  shall 
draw  out  of  the  game,  and  you  and  I,  Maj'or,  must  pa;t  com 

ri  Jr*""  ^r^'^f  ^^''^^'^  ''^"'^  ''"^''y  '"'"^  *''«  ^•'Jo''  rose  from  his 
chair,  and  said,  m  a  cold,  calm  voice,  accompanied  by  one  of  Ma 
most  polished  bows,  " Let  the  matte.'  rest  whe.-e  it  isjrlllban 
expla.n  your  objections  to  Col.  Bowles,  and  that  w  II  be  qu.te 
8ufflc.e..t,  sir !    He  imagined,  when  ho  oflered  to  take  an  inter  S 
in  our  bu8.ness,  that  he  waa  doing  us  a  favor  by  lending  us  his 
countenance  and  protection,  and  I  can  assure  you,  sir,  I  thought 
the  same  myself;  but,  si,-,  a«  your  wisdom  chooses  to  see  the 
matter  .n  quite  a  different  light,  I  beg  that  you  will  forget  that 
we  ever  had  the  subject  under  discussion."    Having  closed  his 
speech  with  the  greatest  politeness  and  dignity,  he  threw  his 
cane  under  his  arm,  as  was  his  custom  when  irritated,  and,  with 
the  8tr.de  of  a  Roman  senator,  left  tlio  room 

Immediately  he  left  the  place  I  started  for  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Roberts,  w.th  the  purpose  of  learning  from  him  exactly  how 
far  we  ra.ght  rely  on  his  protection,  and  to  inform  him  of  the  re- 
ported  tlireats  made  by  the  City  Marshal,  but  under  no  circum- 
stances  did  I  mean  to  let  him  know  of  the  proposition  for  so  un- 
ceremon.ously  turning  him  out  of  the  business-a  regard  for  mv 
old  fnenu,  as  well  as  policy,  forbidding  me  from  broaching  the 
subject.  On  reaching  the  house  I  was  informed  by  the  servant 
who  answered  my  ring  that  Mr.  Roberts  was  in  Cincinnati ;  had 
been  gone  already  five  days,  and  was  not  expected  back  bofor« 
the  next  Saturday  night.    It  was  now  Thursdav,  and  the  races 


896 


WANDBRrWGS  OF  A  VAOABOKD. 


would  commence  on  the  following  Monday.    The  absence  of  Mr. 
Roberts,  the  strange  Indifferencu  be  bad  shown  ol  lute  reya.dp.g 
our  business,  the  fact  of  bis  leaving  the  city  without  even  cunnng 
to  apprize  us  of  his  intention,  together  with  the  prcsoni  a«i«3.-t 
of  affairs,  all  conspired  to  arou«e  within  n.y  bosom  for  tbo  iir»t 
time  angry  feelings  towards  tbo  absent  gentleman.     Had  it  not 
been  for  the  little  misunderstanding  between  the  Mnjor  and  my- 
self, and  the  information  which  he  had  obtained  from  Col. 
Bowles  about  Mr.  Dawson,  the  City  Marshal's  wish  to  wipe  out 
our  bank  from  tlie  soil  of  old  "Kentuck,"  I  dare  say  I  should 
never  have  thought  of  anything  of  the  kind ;  but  as  it  wa-s  my 
mind  became  the  prey  of  anxious  thoughts,  and  I  felt  a  «tiong 
presentiment  of  coming  evil,  which,  however  It  might  then  lark 
reason,  proved  not  to  be  groundless  In  the  future,  as  events  wdl 

flllOW 

On  the  morning  following  our  conversation  just  related,  while 
the  Mf^jor  and  myself  were  at  breakfast  In  our  hotel.  Col.  Bowles 
approached  the  former  with  an  air  of  the  greatest  mystery,  and 
whispered  in  his  ear,  "Sorry  to  disturb  you,  Miijor,  but  the  fact 
is,  I've  heem  sunthln'  I  thought  you  oughtor  know."    In  order 
to  give  his  words  their  full  effect,  he  seated  himself  on  a  chair 
next  to  the  Mt^jor,  and  having  comfortably  arranged  himself,  he 
put  up  his  hand  to  the  side  of  his  mouth  and  said,  in  a  low,  mys- 
terious   voice    behind  It,  "There's  sunthln  dark,  out,  sure! 
Bunthin  rotten ! "  and  as  he  spoke,  he  divided  his  attention  be- 
tween myself  and  the  Mi^jor,  looking  first  towards  one,  and  then 
towards  the  other.    It  was  the  very  first  time  he  had  over 
deigned  to  notice  me,  although  I  had  been  thrown  frequently 
into  his  company,  both  in  our  hotel  and  In  the  gambling-room, 
but  he  had  always  studiously  Ignored  my  presence.    I  believed 
bim  to  be  a  vain,  arrogant,  and  selfish  man,  and,  withal,  a  lying 
blatherskite,  and  these  causes  had  induced  a  strong  dislike   n 
my  mind  towards  the  man,  which  was  not,  to  say  the  least,  in 
any  respect  lessened  by  the  indifference  with  which  he  always 
treated  me,  for  It  is  the  nature  of  youth  to  sooner  forgive  a  se- 
rious ii\jury  than  a  slight.  ,  ,    ,        ^    ,  y.  a 
"Why,  what  do  you  mean,  sir?"  demanded  the  astonished 
Major,  turning  round  in  his  chair  and  gazing  Inquiringly  into  the 
pock-marked  face  of  the  Colonel. 

"I  tell  you,  M^Jor,  there  sunthln  rotten,  as  sure  as  my  name  s 
Jack  Bowles." 


t 

fi 

I 

Y 


absence  of  Mr. 
■  luic  rt'y;iinli'ig 
ut  even  coming 
prcsoul.  asiHsct 
»m  for  the  first 
II.  Had  it  not 
Mnjor  and  u»y- 
incd  from  (."ol. 
ish  to  wipe  out 
ro  say  I  should 
t  as  it  was,  my 
I  felt  a  strong 
might  then  lack 
B,  as  events  will 

3t  related,  while 
)tel,  Col.  Bowles 
St  mystery,  and 
jor,  but  the  fact 
now."  In  order 
nself  on  a  chair 
nged  himself,  he 
id,  in  a  low,  mys- 
lark.  out,  sure! 
lis  attention  be- 
ds one,  and  then 
ne  he  had  over 
irown  ficquently 

gambling-room, 
ince.  I  believed 
1,  withal,  a  lying 
strong  dislike  in 

say  the  least,  in 
which  he  always 
>ner  forgive  a  se- 

i  the  astonished 
iquiringly  into  the 

ure  as  my  name's 


UCXINOTON  RACXS. 


397 

"Good  gracious !  What  do  you  moan,  sir  V 

••When  we  parted  hvst  night,  you  know  "-the  Mf^or  nodded 
U,  in  inmte  that  he  did  know-- wall,"  continued  Bowles  "l 
mJT   T  ?"*^''  «'"«'««-'^»»««.  «>••  thar  1  c.,u.e  across  ole 

tell  jou  non,  Mi^or,  and  when  Jake  Bowles  tells  you  he  knows  a 
man,  go  your  money  on  it ! "  ^        "  •^"""''  « 

thl'M"!'  ^"Z"""''  ^  »°'l'"'8tand.  But  what  took  place  f  inciuired 
the  M^jor,  becoming  alarmed. 

timT""'.  *'"'  ^T  ™"  '""'  "''»  ^>'^"  ^«  «"*  ter  talking  about  ole 
warnu.r„nT  "f""^  '''"•''''"«  '"  """^  K''°^'"-'««'  "!"«''  kinder 
truth  outer  them  sly  old  ones.  Wall,  at  last  ho  asked  me  about 
you  and  who  yer  was,  an'  what  yor  wus  u  d.win  on  down  thar 
in  yer  rooms  every  night.  He  went  tor  work  in  a  devilish  quiet 
way  a    fust,  just  as  if  ho  didn't  care  a  d-n  fur  what  1  o Vus  a 

tohlnd  T°f ;  n''  '  '*'"  ""^"'^  'l"'^'^  *'"^'  ^'■'^■'  ^'^«  «""t^iu 
«!f„T;,,  .  ''''"  y°"  """^  "  ies|)ectal.lo  gentleman  from  Uich- 
mond  thot  you  was  here  to  'tend  the  races,  and  how  the  boys 
played  poker  of  a  night  in  yer  room.  Ho  sorter  cut  mo  short  off 
here  at  this  p'int,  and  said  that  faro  was  played  there  a  d-n 
Bight  ofteuer  than  pokor,  an'  then  ho  cums  right  out  an'  shows 
his  hand.    Says  he,  'Look  a  here,  Bowles,' says  he,  'I'm  a  friend 

thItT„'r«  t'^  r  '''"'f°'  ''■  ^■'''■'^•°  «"^  ^">'t»^*"e  to  do  with 
that  there  crib    git  outer  it,  cos  several  religious  persons  has 

made  complaints  about  it ;  they  say  young  men  go  thar  an'  lose 
it  nohow  1^''  ''  ^°"^^'  ^'^^  ^'''  "*''"''''  ''"'  '  ''''°'*  ^^^'^ 

"Great  God!"  cried  the  Major,  excitedly  springing  to  his  feet. 

Let's  pack  up  and  get  away  from  here.  Jack!  I  wouldn't  be 
arrested  here  for  the  damned  infernal  State !" 

i'^^v."^./?''^  ^*"*®'  *««'"  remarked  the  Colonel,  scorning  to 
etyoy  the  Major's  uneasiness  hugely. 

"Yes!"  retorted  the  irate  Mj\jor,  "so  damned  good,  sir,  that 
they  ought  to  put  a  stone  fence  around  it,  to  prevent  anybody 
from  getting  mto  t  Come  on,  Jack,  let's  pack  up  and  leave! 
We  can't  be  too  quick  about  it !"  i  i'      u  loavw 

"  Now  hold  on,  M^jor!  don't  fly  off  at  the  handle.  When  Jake 
Bowles  is  a  friend  to  a  man,  yer  kin  go  yer  life  on  him !  Let  me 
work  this  here  busmess.  I  don't  believe  it's  es  bad  as  yer  think 


398  WANDKniNOS  or  ▲  VAOAnOSD. 

by  a  d-n  slffht,"  sal.l  the  worthy  Cdoiiol,  with  a  knowlnR  wink. 
<'01c  Myorsi  Uo'8  w.rlii.iK  fur  u  puliu,  I.o'h  l.-l  '>»  luoi.oy,  and 
I  bollovo  that's  hlH  Kanio.     I  undorHta.ul  thoso  mattcrH,  Mi^,..r, 
better  '»  vou  d..,  and  you  jost  lot  .no  inanatfo  'on..     Ho  can  t  pull 
yo   h  tnsolf,  the  ole  cuJs ,  Dawaon  .loos  that  thoro  a..d  he  a  ..u.u,, 
So  boat  friond  I've  got  in  tho  wo,ld,  a.ul  if  he  han  -      u    >^ 
he'll  lot  .no  k.,ow  ti.no  enough  to  git  yor  out  of  ^'^ '' "J  ;''(";  ^ 
«nnn,l    hot  vor  Ufo  OH  't.    You  trust  tor  Jako   n.«wlus,  M.\|or, 
To'    ulstXl  toll  yer!  Ro  you  Jlst  koop  cool  'tlH  •  -  >.r 
Sgain."     With  which  ad.nonltio..  tho  Colo.iol  dopr  vod  m  of  his 
C  itlnur  society.    Tho  MaJ<.r  was  In  no  fra.no  ot  .nind  to  hood 
S  t    ko     cool,    on  tho  co.U.-ary.  ho  worked  hi.nsolf  np  to 
So  boiling  point,  a.id  fumed,  a.,.l  raged,  a.ul  cursed  the  whole 
8t!te  of  Kentucky,  a.ul  everything  which  grow  upo,,  it    scjl 
Roberta  came  in  for  a  double  shaio  in  his  denunclatio.  s.       The 
int  a  scoundrel,  sir,  to  docoy  a  gentlo.nan  a.noug  tblcves  and 
then  abandon  hi.n  I    I'll  give  tho  Hleek-to..g.,ed  knave  a  pio^  of 
my  mind  when  we  moot  hi.n  I    Lot  .no  got  back  to  Virginia  once 
SorC  and  If  ever  I  leave  there  again,  may  I  never  get  back 
Xo"    I  was  too  wise  to  put  myself  within  the  circle  of  the 
whirlpool  of  his  wrath  by  making  any  suggestion,  even  had  I 
been  capable  of  otToring  a.iy,  wlilch  I  was  not.     The  nMioo 
matter  was,  from  begi.nung  to  end,  a  .nuddlo  to  mo,  an.l  tho  o.,ly 
iTkeUhord  of  ..  solutt..,  which  I  could  perceive  was  the  p,-eso.,co 
of  MrRoberts.     Much  as  I  distrusted  Col.  Bowles,  aftd  u.iscru- 
pulous  as  I  believed  him  to  bo,  it  never  once  flashed  across  ray 
mind  that  he  was  playing  us  a  very  dirty  trick,  and  the  ujterest 
he  was  showing  in  our  affairs  1  looked  upon  as  a  sort  of  free- 
moso^fry  existing  among  gamblers,  which  made  It  arbitrary  upon 
Zn  to  protect  each  other  against  all  outside  danger  rcga.dless 
of  their  petty  slights  or  professional  jealousies.  I  tried  to  appear 
"al   Sman7unc'oncer..ed  as  I  could  before  the  M^vi^r,  but  the 
^end  U.ieaslnes3  was  tightening  his  hold  upon  me.  I  recalled  he 
frequent  lokes  of  some  of  our  players,  who,  while  I  was  doa^ng 
Lo  for  them,  would  say,  "Old  Darson  would  make  a  di  e  in 
npon  us  when  wo  least  expected  It  some  tmio.'     I  also  recol  cc  - 
ed  the  stories  I  had  heard  them  relate,  of  ga.nbler8  having  their 
tools  burned  before  the  court-house  door,  and  the  owners  being 
locked  np  until  their  la.st  dollar  was  leeched  from  them  by  ras- 
cally officials.    The  iron-barred  doors  and  windows  of  tho  Lex- 


cnowlnR  wink, 
u  mtmoy,  ivnd 
lattcrs,  Miij.tr, 

Ho  ciin't  pull 
mid  Iiu'h  mine, 
as  to  pull  yt!.', 
!  wiiy  safe  ivntl 
Uowiurt,  Major, 
'till  I  SCO  yor 
•ivetl  us  of  Ilia 
r  luiml  to  heod 

hiinHi'ir  up  to 
raod  the  whole 

upou  Its  soil, 
latlous.  "  The 
ug  thieves  and 
navo  a  piece  of 

0  Virginia  once 
lovor  get  back 
10  circle  of  the 
on, even  had  I 
t.  Tlio  whole 
10,  and  tlin  only 
X8  the  presence 
38,  Jiftd  unscru- 
shed  across  ray 
uid  the  interest 

a  sort  of  free- 
i  arl)itrary  upon 
ngor,  regardless 
tried  to  appear 

Miijor,  but  the 
5.  I  recalled  the 
s,  I  was  dealing 
make  a  dive  in 

1  also  recoUcct- 
ers  having  their 
ho  owners  being 
im  them  by  rna.- 
ows  of  the  Ijex- 


LEXINOTON  KACE8. 


300 


ington  Jail,  which  I  have  ho  often  viewed  from  the  strort  with 
Huc.li  Huprcino  Ju.liirenMiro,  now  IimiiucI  durkly  l)..r..io  inv  im- 
agination, lilio  Boiuo  fabuioun  niouHtur  ready  and  waiting  tii  de- 
vour mo. 

Uoforo  tlie  sounding  of  the  boll  for  dinner,  tlie  Colonel  again 
met  tlie  Major,  with  an  exultant  looji  upon  lii.s  pock-marked 
coiiutenanro.  "  I've  lixed  it  all  right.  Major;  kick  riglit  along! 
Ah  long  as  Jake  Bowles  is  anmml  ycr  all  right,  bpt  vor  life  on 't!" 

"But  what  security  liavo  wot  Tell  mo  tliat,'"  domandea  the 
excited  Major. 

"  Neow,  Major,  when  a  feller  talks  on  ticklish  .subjects  with 
yor  big  guns,  he's  got  tor  keep  his  Jaw  closed  aliout  it.     I've 
whipped  my  horse  to  his  full  speed,  olo  Imy,  an'  'tw(ml(lu't  do  to 
tell  tales  al)out  it  outer  school.     But  I'll  tell  yor  this  mucli,  yor 
Hhan't  fall  inter  nobody's  dutclies;  I've  tlirowed  tlie  tlag  downoa 
that,  bet  yor  life  on  't.    If  olo  .Myers  should  make  a  divo  for  yo— 
an'  he's  moan  enough  to  do  anything— I'll  know  it  in  time 
ter  get  yor  outer  the  way.    Trust  Jako  Bowles  fur  that,"  said 
that  gentleman,  tipping  tho  Major  one  of  his  most  knowing  winks 
The  latter  thanked  the  Colonel  for  tho  deep  and  active  interest 
he  hail  taken  in  his  atTairs,  but  positively  refused  to  ai)proach 
near  the  faro-room  while  his  liijorty  was  menaced,  as  he  stylod 
It.    I  told  him  that  if  wo  ever  expected  to  open  our  game  again 
It  should  bo  done  now,  f(.r  if  wo  closed,  our  patrons  would  be 
taken  with  a  scare,  and  wo  siiouid  lose  tliem.  I  told  him  I  should 
go  right  away  and  attend  to  business  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
Ho  answered  mo,  "Do  as  you  please,  sir,  but  I  shall  not  go  near 
the  room."    Up  to  this  period  our  bank  had  boon  about  $;J,000 
winner.   I  went  over  to  our  room,  where  I  found  a  crowd  of  play- 
ers awaiting  my  coming  and  the  opening  of  the  game,  and  when 
I  had  done  so  a  vry  lively  play  ensued.    During  tho  afternoon 
several  strange  faces  were  seen  at  tho  table,  and  more  money 
shown  than  at  any  time  during  our  stay  in  the  place  before.    I 
closed  my  bank  about  supper  time,  aomo  $2,200  winner.     We 
were -in  luck. 

Not  finding  the  Major  outside  the  hotel,  nor  yet  in  the  office, 
when  I  went  ever,  I  went  up  to  his  sleeping-room,  whore  I  found 
him  with  his  trunk  all  packed.  "  I  have  paid  our  bill,  sir,"  was 
the  first  greeting  I  received,  "  and  you  had  better  attend  to  your 
luggage,  and  let  ns  bo  prepared  in  case  of  the  worst." 


i_ 


400 


WAXDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


4^    tuof  Af  oinr  ?•' T  aakcd.     "  Must  we  leave t" 
;;froi\rras'5:;;S°t  U-l  W.  p«parcd  for  every 

T?;fr'.l'o'uM  be  oWige.!  to  !.avc,  how  are  ™  to  arra-ge 
about  o„rgambli„s-ro«m«lrrnn^^^^^^  ^^^,  ^ 

a  decided  coolness  towards  me. 

;:f2::  j,rr  r^r/sSe  to  oo>,bo.,.  ,.  .^, 

$3,200."  *!,„  omniioqi- surorise  or  pleasure  at  my  news, 

WiUiout  evmcmg  t^°  ^^^^^^^^^^rdone  his  duty  by  us,  sir, 
the  Major  replied,  'Had  Ml.  Kooer  should  we 

rushed  up  to  us,  and  in  a  low  voice  exclaim  d,''  G it  i^  nxi  g.t. 
-Good  God!  explain  yourself,  sir!"  '^f  ^^^''^^^''^ ^*^,^,^"  "^^^^^  „„ 
-Hush!  we  can't  afford  ter  lot  ennbody  bear  ««; /^"^  "^ 

time  for  cheek;  let's  git  outer  this  here  fuse.    Is  yer  baggage 

ready  T"  „  ^  „  . 

"Yes,"  stammered  the  terrified  Maior.  _    ,„,„„*-,». 

«  Order  it  down;  I'll  be  here  with  the  wagon  m  a  minute. 


««t' 


^'  Mi'-f'-ii' ' 


.istwe  leave  f" 
jparcd  for  every 

a  we  to  arrange 

3  most  dignified 
g  bo  bad  sbowu 

Bowles  for  $200, 
.  Sbould  wo  be 
)tc.,  is  there,  and 

ng  with  Mr.  Rob- 
r  game  bas  won 

asure  at  my  news, 
is  duty  by  us,  sir, 
xbly.  Sbould  we 
sty,  write  to  bim, 
t  bi  •  putting  in  an 
ey  in  our  bauds." 
3r,  and  from  bim  I 
a  and  packed  my 
jer-table.    During 

into  conversation, 
ce  wbicb  I  sought 
making  him  more 
ices. 

)ctober,  had  barely 
ton,  when  we  rose 
I  office  of  the  hotel. 

who  was  evidently 
d  who  immediately 
1,  "  Git  up  an'  git." 
ited  the  Malor. 

hear  us;  thar's  no 
ic.    Is  yer  baggage 


fon  In  a  minute.'' 


THE  FLWHT. 


401 


It  took  me  only  a  few  minutes  to  run  across  to  the  gambling- 
•  room  and  put  the  gambling-tools  in  my  valise.  When  I  bad 
agaiii  reached  the  hotel,  I  found  my  trunlc  standing  beside  that 
ot  iLe  Major's,  on  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  door.  A  power- 
ful pair  of  gray  horses  harnessed  to  a  light  spring  road  wagon 
were  standing  there,  and  our  luggage  was  placed  in  this  convey- 
ance by  order  of  the  Colonel.  Having  bestowed  on  the  negroes  who 
had  performed  this  ceremony  a  few  small  coins,  he  whispered  to 
the  driver,  -'Drive  to  Fall's  Corner  and  wait  for  us  thar."  The 
wagon  having  driven  off,  ho  turned  to  the  Major  and  myself  and 
said,  "Let's  get  along;  we've  no  time  to  lose." 


CHAPTER  XXXII, 


THE    FLIGHT. 


We  had  walked  rapidly  for  about  eight  blocks,  when  we  came 
in  sight  of  the  wagon  which  contained  our  baggage,  waiting  for 
us  on  a  street  corner  opposite  a  large  lumber-yard.  The  place 
seemed  deserted  and  almost  in  the  suburbs  of  tlie  city. 

"Now."  said  the  Colouel,  halting  before  the  wagon,  "111  tell 
youwhat'sther  matter,  an' I've  got  but  little  time  to  do  it  in, 
either,  cos  I  want  yer  to  git  a  good  start  o'  ther  cusses,  do  yor 
mind  ?  "    The  Major  did  mind,  and  so  in  fact  did  I,  for  we  were 
bo*;h  devoured  by  a  voracious  curiosity  to  know  what  had  caused 
this  hasty  exodus  after  the  very  cheering  view  of  the  case 
which  the  worthy  Colonel  had  given  us  but  a  few  hours  previous- 
ly.   "A  little  before  dark,"  continued  that  gentleman,  "  I  got  a 
message  from  Dawson  ter  come  an'  see  'im.    I  done  so,  ar'  he 
told  me  that  Myers  had  gin  a  warrant  ter  ther  Sheriff  ter  pull 
you.    Now  yer  see,  the  SheriflPs  allera  been  down  on  gamblers, 
an'  olo  Dawson,  he  ain't;  he's  allers  let  up  on  'em  when  he's  had 
•*  oliance,  and  that's  jist  the  reason  Myers  didn't  give  him  the 
■ant  as  ho  oufhter  done.     The  Sheriff,  he  wanted  ter  pull 
yer  this  afternoon;  but  Dawson,  when  ho  calls  on  him  to  assist, 
staves  him  off  with  the  excuse  that  if  they  wait  'till  night  ther 
house  'ud  be  full,  an'  they  could  make  a  big  haul.     Pretty  cute 
fur  ole  Dawson,  warn't  it  t    But  he's  my  friend,  an'  you  know  I 


^te^i«W^S^i*r 


«tt 


•WANDERmOS  0»  A.  VAOABOKD. 


tole  yer  if  enny  danger  was  ulmit  he'd  let  me  know.  Well,  him 
and  the  Sheriff's  agreed  ter  pull  yer  all  ter  night  when  yer  game's 
under  full  headway,  an'  they  kin  nab  everybody  in  the  room  an' 
so  have  no  difficulty  in  gittiii'  witnesses  agin  yer.  Es  quick  es 
Dawson  gin  me  the  word,  I  jist  sent  fur  Jim  here,  that's  goiu'  ter 
drive  yer  down,  an'  tole  him  ter  hitch  up  my  road  team  an' drive 
yer  ter  Louisville.  So  yer  parceivo  when  ther  Sheriff  goes  tor 
make  his  dive  fur  yer,  I'll  have  yer  close  on  tor  Frankfort.  I've 
tole  Smiley  ter  see  that  yer  gamblin'-room's  all  lighted  up,  ter 
make  'em  b'lieve  yer  there  yit.    D'ye  see,  Major  t "  cbuckMthe 

Colonel. 

"  What  a  wonderful  escape  we've  had  from  the  clutches  of 
those  villains !  And  how  can  we  ever  be  sufficiently  thankful  to 
yo«,  sir,  for  the  deep  interest  you  have  taken  in  our  affairs?" 
ejaculated  the  Major,  seizing  the  hand  of  his  benefactor,  and  in 
the  heat  of  his  gratitude  trying  to  wring  it  off. 

"  Now  don't  talk  that  way,  Major,  ole  boy ;  I  can't  stan  nun  o' 
that;  what  I've  done  I  did  fur  a  gentleman,  an' that's  enough; 
an'  ef  I  didn't  think  you'd  do  jist  the  same  fur  me  ef  I  was  in  a 
tight  place,  I  wouldn't  a  done  it;  so  git  inter  the  wagon,  ole 
boss,  cos  I  don't  feel  right  nohow  es  long's  yer  here.     I  tell 
yer  what,  the  Sheriff's  h— 1  when  he  gits  started ;  an'  when  he 
finds  out  ye've  fooled  'im,  he'll  wade  through  fire  an'  brimstono 
but  he'll  capture  ye.     Ef  yer  beat  'im  yer'll  hev  to  outspeed 
»im,  mind  I  tell  yer.    He'll  write  to  Turner,  the  Marshal,  ter  nab 
yer  ef  he  finds  out  yer've  started  fur  Louisville,  and  ef  Turner 
ever  gits  thera  gray  eyes  o'  hissen  on  yer,  yer  in  fur  bad  luck, 
sure.    I  don't  want  ter  scare  yer,  ole  boy,  only  ter  caution  yer. 
Now  don't  stop  on  the  road  one  minute  more  'n  yer  kin  help.  I've 
gin  Jim  a  letter  ter  my  friend  Bu.^sby  when  yer  git  ter  Frank- 
fort.   He'll  give  yer  as  good  a  pa'r  o'  roans  es  ever  yer  cracked 
a  whip  behind.    Push  on  with  'em  till  yer  caw  hire  a  fresh  team, 
an'  keep  on  doin'  so  till  yer  get  ter  Louisville.    Try  and  reach 
there  by  to-morrow  night,  an'  when  yer  do,  drive  straight  down 
to  the  Jefferson  ferry  an'  put  the  Ohio  river  between  yerselves 
an'  the  State  o'  Kentucky  's  soon  as  possible." 

We  listened  with  the  most  profound  attention  to  these  admoni- 
tions and  instructions,  and  promised  to  follow  his  advice  to  the 

letter. 
When  we  were  seated  in  the  wagon,  the  Colonel,  turning  to 


)w.  Well,  him 
lieu  yer  game's 
n  the  room  an' 
.  Ea  quick  es 
that's  goin'  ter 
team  an'  drive 
heriff  goes  tor 
ranklort.  I've 
lighted  up,  ter 
"cbuckMtbe 

the  clutches  of 
itly  thankful  to 
n  our  affairs  t" 
lefactor,  and  in 

^n't  Stan  nun  o' 
that's  enough; 
le  ef  I  was  in  a 
the  wagon,  ole 
ir  here.     I  tell 
d ;  an'  when  he 
e  an'  brimstono 
lev  to  outspeed 
Marshal,  ter  nab 
and  ef  Turner 
n  fur  bad  luck, 
ter  caution  yer. 
3r  kin  help.  I've 
git  ter  Frank- 
ver  yer  cracked 
ire  a  fresh  team, 
Try  and  reach 
e  straight  down 
itween  yerselves 

to  these  admoni- 
bis  advice  to  the 

lonel,  turning  to 


THE  FLKiHT. 


403 


our  Jehu,  a  big  powerful  negro  as  black  as  Erebus,  who  belong. 

"  Jimr''^     ^'^''^'^ '""" '"  something  like  the  following strriu: 

"Tiss,  sah." 

'' Bugsbj's  team  '11  be  pretty  well  used  up  by  the  time  you  get 
to  Rogers' ;  try  an'  get  a  fresh  one  from  him,  an'  when  ye  get  to 
Snyder  s  give  'im  my  respects  and  tell  'im  to  give  ver  another 
fresh  team ;  do  the  same  to  Hanlan's,  and  that  one  'li  ;  ake  yer  to 
Louisville.    When  ye  get  there,  drive  straight  down  to  the  Jef- 

bJr  d"?  iiLT'  '"'''  "'""'"''"  ^^'^  ''''"  ^"^S^Seou  the 
"  Tiss,  massa,  Ise  heah ! " 

'«m  ^M^'J?"  **'  ^°r'^  M?'**'  ""^  y®""  taking  acent  from  either  of 
'em,  I'll  skin  yer  ahve ! " 

"  Yiss,  massa,"  responded  Jim,  showing  his  ivories  from  earto 

"  Very  well  then,  see  yer  dusent.  Put  up  at  Runelson's  stable, 
an  next  day  at  twelve  start  back,  an'  try  an'  git  back  here  by 
Monday  night,  or  I'll  try  an'  git  inter  yer  meat-house ! » 

"  Ise  '11  do  it,  massa  Jake." 

"Very  good;  an'  don't  cross  the  river  an'  furgettercum  back 
yer  black  scoundrel ! "  ' 

"De  lor!"  chuckled  Jim.  "What's  Ise  gwiieterdo  widthem 
aberlishus  niggers  f    Dey  dusen't  suit  Jim,  nohow." 

"  Drive  on.  God  bless  yer,  Major !"  was  the  last  greeting  we 
received  from  our  disinterested  friend.  In  a  lew  seconds  he  waa 
lost  to  our  sight  in  the  darkness  of  the  night. 

It  was  close  upon  eleven  o'clock  when  we  reached  Frankfort 
and  scarcely  a  light  was  to  be  seen  glimmering  in  the  stony 
place,  and  we  slipped  into  it  so  quietly  that  even  the  bafking 
curs,  which  abound  in  Kentucky's  darling  seat  of  legieUtion,  fail- 
ed  to  announce  our  arrival.    Wo  drove  np  in  front  of  a  broad 
low  stone  building,  where  Jim  pulled  up  his  panting  team  and 
informed  us  that  this  was  massa  Bngsby's  livery  stable.     Jim 
having  done  mme  tall  pounding  with  a  rock  on  the  stable  door, 
•t  was  opened  from  the  inside  by  a  venerable  individual  of  the 
African  persuasion,  who  held  in  his  hand  a  lantern,  and  whose 
temper  appeared  to  be  slightly  ruffled,  possibly  by  bplng  so  un- 
ceremoniously roused  from  his  slumbers. 
"  Whar'a  yer  massa,  nigger  ?  "  inquired  Jim. 


404 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


■J 


"  What  massa  is  yer  talk  about  f " 

"  Massa  Bugsby,  niRger ;  ye  knows  dat." 

"  In  he  bed ;  whar  yer  s'poso  be  am  at  dis  time  o'  night  t '  re- 
epondol  the  indignant  individual  addressed. 

"Den  you  go  fotch 'im  dis  yer  letter,  kaso  he's  wanted  here 
right  away,"  said  Jitn,  holding  out  the  Colonel's  letter  to  the  old 

man.  ,•  w    rti 

He  took  the  missive  in  his  hand,  held  it  up  to  the  light  ol  tne 
lantern,  and  gazed  at  the  direction  for  some  moments,  to  the  im- 
mense disgust  of  Jim,  who  roared  out  at  him,  "Come,  don't  stan 
dar  peerin'  at  dat  letter  dat  ar  way,  tryin'  to  make  folks  b'leive 
ye  kin  read ;  go  right  otf  wid  it  to  massa  Bugsby,  case  how  wo's 

in  a  hurry." 
"De  Lor,  nigger!  how  de  words  dus  cum  outer  you!    Feara 

like  dev  was  peas  rattliu'  onto  a  dry  hide." 

"  Well,  dat  '11  do  now,  nigger ;  take  yersclf  off  an'  gib  dat  let- 
ter ter  massa  Bugsl>y." 

"  Phew ! "  whistled  the  frosty  headed  old  African,  contempt- 
uously, raising  up  his  lantern  and  looking  scornfully  from  behind 
it  at  Jim.  "  De  more  I  libs,  do  more  fools  I  sees  ebcry  day . " 
with  which  parting  shot  the  old  fellow  moved  off,  chuckling,  sat- 
isfied at  his  own  wit. 

Nearly  half  an  hour  had  elapsed  when  the  gentleman  bearing 
the  name  of  Bugsby  came  to  the  front  with  a  lantern  in  his 
hand,  while  the  old  negro  brought  up  the  rear,  also  bearing  a 

lantern.  .       ,,,    „      ,, 

"  Good  evening,  gentlemen, "  was  the  salutation  of  Mr,  Bugsby. 
"It's  nearer  morning,  now,  is  it  not,  sir T"  responded  the 

Mr  Bugsbv  hauled  out  a  tig  silver  watch,  which  he  consulted 
bv  the  light  of  his  lantern,  remarking,  "It's  going  on  twelve; 
hadn't  you  better  tie  up  for  the  night?  It's  precious  dark,  an' 
you'll  find  it  very  stony  on  t'other  side  o'  the  river." 

"  Mustn't  do  dat,  nohow,  massa  Bugsby,  kase  de  Kumcl  he 
sais  we  must  git  de  roan  team  and  push  rite  along." 

"Well  then,  I've  nothmg  more  to  say;  if  that's  the  Colonels 
orders  he  must  be  obeyed ;  so,  Jim,  go  and  help  Robert  throw  the 
harness  over  the  roans." 

While  the  negroes  were  harnessing,  the  Major  and  myself 
were  stretching  our  lefjs  on  the  ground  near  the  wagon.    Mr. 


-  i.mum»Mj!£}'^iP' 


^ 
i 
t 
t 
1 
I 
t 
li 
ii 
a 

c 
\ 

D 


k: 
oi 

in 
tl 
tl 
fo 
a£ 

BV 

he 
te; 
Bi 

gi' 
Jii 


0' night  t"  re- 
's wanted  here 
etter  to  the  old 

the  light  of  the 
leuts,  to  the  Im- 
)me,  don't  stan' 
ike  folks  b'leive 
,  case  how  we's 

Br  you!    Peara 

an'  gib  dat  let- 

ican,  contempt- 
Lilly  from  behind 
ses  ebcry  day ! " 
,  chuckling,  sat- 

litleman  bearing 
I  lantern  in  his 
,  also  hearing  a 

1  of  Mr,  Bugsby. 
'  responded  the 

lich  he  consulted 

;oing  on  twelve; 

reclous  dark,  an' 

per." 

ise  de  Kumel  he 

mg." 

It's  the  Colonel's 

Robert  throw  the 

[ajor  and  myself 
the  wagon.    Mr. 


THE  FLIGHT. 


405 


Bugsby  approached  as  near  as  politeness  permitted,  and,  by 
way  of  apology  for  doing  so,  inquired,  "  What's  going  on  in  Lex- 
ington, gentlemen  T"  At  the  same  moment  he  held  up  his  lan- 
tern in  such  a  position  as  to  throw  a  strong  light  on  the  face  of 
the  Major,  who  stood  nearest  him;  but  tliut  gentleman,  probab- 
ly  not  feeling  disposed  to  gratify  his  curiosity,  quicklv  turned 
his  back  to  the  light.  Nothing  daunted  by  this  rebuff,  ho 
turned  his  attention  to  me,  and  flashed  into  my  face  the  strong 
light  from  the  opened  side  of  his  lantern ;  at  the  same  time  ho 
inquired,  "Many  people  gathering  in  to  see  the  races  there 
above  f " 

"A  great  many,  I  believe,"  I  rejoined,  without  in  the  least 
changing  my  position,  or  moving  a  muscle  in  any  respect. 
When  ho  lowered  his  lantern,  after  a  len-theued  inspection  of 
my  physiognomy,  I  coolly  asked  him  "how  he  liked  itf " 

"Like  whatt"  demanded  Mr.  Bugsby. 

"My  face." 

"Well,  youngster,  I've  seen  a  d— n  sight  meaner  ones." 

"As  you  have  taken  such  pains  to  examine  it,  I  am  glad  it 
pleases  you,"  I  replied. 

"I  wanted  to  see,  youngster,  who  the  devil  Jake  Bowles  was 
killing  all  the  horses  in  the  country  for.  He's  not  in  the  habit 
of  wasting  his  powdei  on  poor  game." 

After  a  short  delay  in  crossing  the  river,  we  were  again  push- 
ing forward  as  rapidly  as  the  stony  road  and  the  darkness  of 
the  night  would  permit.  Bugsby*8  remarks  to  mo  had  aroused 
the  Major's  fears,  or  his  curiosity,  I  am  unable  to  say  which, 
for  he  abstained  from  all  communication  with  me,  but  finally 
asked  Jim  if  his  master  and  Mr.  Bugsby  were  very  intimate. 

"I  spects  dey  am,  sah!"  returned  Jim;  "dey  buys  bosses, 
swaps  bosses,  arid  trades  in  niggers,  when  de  Kurnel  es  about 
heal),  sah." 

"Mr.  Bugsby  was  grossly  impertinent  when  he  held  his  Ian- 
tern  up  in  a  gentleman's  face,"  remarked  the  Major. 

"Haw!  haw!  haw!"  laughed  Jim,  "I  spects  how  massa 
Bugsby  tinks  ynse  killed  somebody,  an'  es  streakin'  it." 

"And  if  hj  were  certain  such  was  the  case,  he  would  have 
given  us  up  to  the  authorities,  in  order  to  get  the  rev.ard  eh, 
Jimt"  asked  the  Major. 

"Good  lor!  Massa  Bugsby  no  do  dat,  sah !  Dat  won't  do 


406 


WANDERINGS  OP    A  VAGABOND. 


'tall,  kase  all  do  white  gemineu  goes  to  massa  Bugsby  when  dey 
gits  ill  Mouble.    Do  iiiaUe  heap  o'  money  dat  way. ' 

"I  suppose  you  nieun,  Jim,  that  when  the  white  gentlemen 
get  iu  difficulty  with  the  law,  that  Mr.  Bugsby  fuinish»*i  them 
with  horsca  to  get  nway." 

"Dat's  massa  Bugsby,  clean  out,  sah." 
At  about  dayligbl  we  reached  Rogers'  tavern,  where  we  got 
some  breakfast  and  a  fresh  team,  and  then  wo  again  pursued 
our  flight,  and  after  making  two  more  changes  and  resting  a 
couple  of  hours  on  the  road,  we  reached  Louisville  in  safety. 
We  drove  directly  to  the  Jeirerson  ferry,  where  Jim  deposited 
on  the  boat  our  trunks  and  valises,  contrary  to  the  wishes  of 
the  Major,  who  desired  him  to  drive  us  to  a  hotel  in  Jefferson- 
ville;  but  to  all  his  entreaties,  Jim  answered  in  the  same  words, 
"  It's  agin  de  Kurnel's  orders,  massa  Major,  an'  if  I  goes  agin 
dem  ar,  he  won't  trust  mo  no  more."  But  contrary  to  those 
other  orders  which  he  had  received,  the  black  rascal  was  noth- 
hig  loth  to  take  the  golden  eagle  offered  him  by  the  Major.  Wo 
caused  our  luggage  to  be  taken  to  the  best  hotel  in  the  place, 
where  we  found  comfortable  quarters.  When  we  had  finished 
supper,  I  wrote  and  posted  to  Mr.  Roberts  a  letter,  informing  him 
of  our  hurried  flight,  our  present  plai,o  of  residence,  and  our  anx- 
iety that  he  should  join  us  immediately,  iu  order  that  we  might 
settle  up  our  business  and  depart. 

A  single  day  in  the  qinet  town  of  Jeffersonville  was  suflBcient 
to  give  one  the  blues,  even  had  not  a  large  commercial  city  like 
Louisville  been  standing  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  to 
lure  me  to  the  enjoyment  ol  its  fascinations  and  luxuries.  Be- 
sides this,  the  sullen  and  disagreeable  temper  in  which  the 
Major  had  been  since  the  day  before  our  flight,  rendered  his 
exclusive  society  anything  but  enjoyable.  My  refusal  to  admit 
bis  friend  Col.  Bowles  to  a  share  in  our  game,  still  rankled  in 
his  breast.  He  openly  accused  me  of  being  the  sole  cause  of 
our  late  discomfiture.  If  I  tried  to  defend  myself,  he  persisted 
with  peevishness  and  obstinacy  in  his  opinion,  declared  he  had 
never  known  trouble  till  he  met  me,  and  wound  up  by  inform- 
ing me,  with  much  dignity,  that,  as  soon  as  our  affairs  could  be 
adjusted,  a  dissolution  of  partnership  r  ust  take  place.  I  left 
him  to  his  own  gloomy  thoughts,  and  crossed  over  to  Louisville 
without  saying  anything  to  him  about  my  intention.    My  Lex- 


.LJILlAlliBlJIII    • 


[sby  when  dey 

■» 

lite  gcntlenien 
urnish'd  tbem 


where  we  got 
again  pursued 
and  resting  a 
ville  in  safety, 
Jim  deposited 

the  wishes  of 
el  in  Jeflerson- 
io  same  words, 
if  I  goes  agin 
itrary  to  those 
iscal  was  noth- 
;he  Major.  Wo 
}\  in  tlie  place, 
e  had  finished 
',  informing  him 
e,  and  our  anx- 

that  we  might 

e  was  sufficient 
nercial  city  like 
of  the  river,  to 
I  luxuries.  Be- 
'  in  which  the 
it,  rendered  his 
refusal  to  admit 
still  rankled  in 
le  sole  cause  of 
elf,  he  persisted 
leclared  he  had 
I  up  by  inforni- 
affairs  could  be 
:e  place.  I  left 
ver  to  Louisville 
itlon.    My  Lex- 


THK  FLIGHT. 


407 


Ington  scare  had  worn  off,  and  I  soon  found  myself  travcrsinff 
the  streets  of  the  city,  with  no  fear  of  Marshal  Turner  before 
my  eyes,  nor  in  fact  of  any  one  else.    This  being  my  first  visit 
to  the  place,  I  inquired  my  way  to  the  Gait  House,  in  hopes  of 
mootmg  some  person  with  whom  I  had  been  previously  ac- 
quai.ted,  but  was  doomed  to  disuppointineut.    I  staid  there 
nevertheless,  till  dinner-time,  and  entering  the  dining-room' 
took  a  seat  at  the  table.    Shortly  after  I  had  done  so,  a  young 
man  came  and  took  the  vacant  place  at  my  side,  and  addressed 
me  with  "You  here,  Moj-risf    When  did  you  leave  Lexington!" 
I  recognized  him  at  once  as  being  a  young  man  who  was  stop- 
pmg  at  the  same  hotel  with  the  Mjyor  and  myself  in  Lexington 
and  who  had  frequently  been  in  our  gambling-room,  where  he 
had  sometimes  played  against  the  bank.    He  had,  while  there 
introduced  himself  to  me  as  James  Howard,  from  Georgia;  said 
he  had  been  following  the  sporting  business  for  more  than  four 
years,  and  soon  convinced  mo  that  he  was  well  posted  up  in  al- 
most every  subject  in  any  degree  appertaining  to  si)orting. 

':i  arrived  here  last  night,  Mr.  Howard,"  I  replied:  "have 
you  been  here  long?" 

''T  got  here  last  Tuesday,"  he  rejoined,  "but  I'm  going  up  to 
Lexington  in  the  morning." 

When  I  informed  him  that  it  was  ray  intention  not  to  return 
to  Lexington,  stud  that  the  Major  had  accompanied  me  to  Jef- 
fersonville,  he  showed  an  unusual  degree  of  surprise,  and  had 
very  little  trouble  in  extracting  from  me  the  particulars  of  my 
flight  from  Jjoxington,  and  its  cause. 

"And  so  Jake  Bowles  has  caught  another  brace  of  fools !"  he 
exclaimed,  as  soon  as  I  had  informed  him  of  that  gentleman's 
connection  with  our  flight. 

"What  do  you  mean,  Mr.  Howard,  by  a  brace  of  fools f"  I 
asked,  feeling  by  no  means  complimented  by  either  bis  words  or 
manner. 

"That  he's  worked  a  jcb  on  you,  and  run  you  off,  that's  all," 
replied  Mr.  Howard. 

It  was  the  very  first  time  my  stupid  brain  had  ever  been 
made  acquainted  with  such  an  idea.  I  felt  so  confused  by  the 
rush  of  thoughts  wb-ch  thronged  through  my  mind  at  this  sug- 
gestion, that  I  conldouly  inquire  stupidly,  "Why,  what  cood 
could  that  do  him  t" 


406 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


"Why,  Morris,  you  must  be  green,  not  to  see  his  object.  Ho 
wanted  to  get  the  game  himself.  He'll  iug  iu  Smiley  upon  tUa^ 
party,  and  he'll  make  $10,000  by  the  operation.  Ue'U  skm  theui 
fellers  like  eels." 

"  Can  he  cheat  at  faro!"  I  asked. 

"Cheat!  Cheat  is  no  name  for  Itl  Why,  he's  double  cham- 
liKhtningat  it;  he's  cleaned  out  all  the  gamblers  in  Georgin 
and  South  Carolina,  and  you  could  no  sooner  get  one  of  them 
into  a  room  where  he  was  dealing  faro,  than  you  could  get  them 

Into  a  pest-house." 

"  I  wonder  Col.  Bowles  tolerates  such  a  person,  much  less  era- 
ploys  him,"  I  returned,  by  way  of  extracting  some  more  explicit 
Information.  , 

"  Jake  Bowles  don't  want  nor  won't  have  any  other  kina;  ne  s 
the  biggest  beat  in  the  South,  and  never  was  known  to  risk  his 
money  on  the  square.  He  thinks  of  nothing  else  but  puttmg  up 
lobs  to  rob  somebody,  either  at  cards  or  horses." 

"  Then  do  I  understand  you  to  infer  that  the  authorities  would 
not  have  interfered  with  ust"  . 

"They  have  never  yet  done  so  with  any  one  during  race 

"  And  you  think  Col.  Bowles  fooled  us,  when  be  induced  us  to 
leave  the  place  t" 

"  Why,  it's  dollars  to  bits  he's  done  It.' 

I  now  firmly  believed  for  the  first  time  that  we  were  his  dupes. 
A  thousand  small  circumstances,  at  the  time  unnoticed,  now  pre- 
sented themselves  to  my  mind,  and  forged  such  a  complete  chain 
of  evidence,  that  I  knew  perfectly  well  that  it  was  quite  true.    I, 
however,  said  nothing  more  at  that  time  to  Mr.  Howard,  in 
whose  company  I  visited  two  or  three  gambUng-houses,  and 
would  have  remained  all  night  in  Louisville,  had  I  not  feared  my 
absence  would  cause  the  Major  some  uneasiness.    At  about  nine 
o'clock  I  reached  our  hotel,  and  found  him  irascibly  pacing  up 
and  down  the  piazza  in  no  amiable  frame  of  mind.  When  I  made 
my  appearance  before  him,  he  stopped  in  his  promenar  3,  and 
scanning  me  from  head  to  foot  with  a  flashmg  eye,  inqmred 
severely,  "Where  have  you  been,  sir!" 
"  I've  been  over  in  Louisville,  Major." 
«'  Then  it's  a  d-n  pity  they  didn't  put  you  in  prison,  and  keep 
you  there,  sir !"  thundered  the  UajoT.  "  Haven't  we  had  trouble 

enough,  sir,  without  your  seeking  to  brtag  more  upon  usr 


ia  object.  He 
iloy  upou  that 
le'll  skiu  tbeai 


doable  cbain- 
rs  iu  Georgin 
t  one  of  them 
jould  get  them 

much  less  era- 
e  more  explicit 

therkind;  he's 
jwu  to  risk  his 
but  putting  up 

it'ioritios  would 

lie  during  race 

le  induced  as  to 


were  his  dupes, 
loticed,  now  pre- 
i  complete  chain 
\s  quite  true.    I, 
Mr.  Howard,  in 
ling-houses,  and 
1 1  not  feared  my 
.    At  about  nine 
scibly  pacing  up 
d.  When  I  made 
promenar  i,  and 
ing  eye,  inquired 


prison,  and  keep 
*t  we  had  trouble 
e  upon  us?" 


THK  FLIGHT. 


400 


I  had  decided  not  to  tell  Iiim  anything  of  what  I  had  leamod 
from  Howard  concerning  Bowles,  but  to  await  the  coming  of  Mr 
Boberts,  whose  arrival  I  expected  ou  the  following  cveuini      i 
felt  assured  that  if  the  Colonel  had  been  playing  his  Zracefu 
pranks  upon  us,  he  was  the  man  who  would  bo  sure  to  find  iJ  oit 
and  I  knew  that  from  his  lips  alone  would  the  M^or  cred^^;  tho 

mSe'^.  Z  K "'/*"•'"  ^'•=^""«  ^"  •»«  dishonit^rtiices 
mv  h^H  ?'  °f  ''^"'Jyingfurthrr  words  with  him,  I  retired  to 
my  bed,  leavmg  him  to  continue  his  walk  up  and  down  the  ni- 

S^rwtm;'''''"  ^''""^*"'  wife.-.Lsh,ghrwratht 

The  next  morning  he  made  a  point  of  insisting  that  I  should 

on  no  pretense  whatever  absent  myself  from  him  until  after  tho 

had'^ilTn?'"''''''-  ^'  ""'^'^ '''''  ™y  ^^^^^^'^  theday  beforo 

?hat  thTl  F?'"'-  ™r'"''«'  *"^  *^^»  »>«  ^^  satisfied 
that  the  officers  of  Louisville,  before  this,  had  accurate  informa- 

wZ  r  ^.'i^^^b^^t^'  '^"d  description  of  our  persons,  and 
were  only  waiting  for  a  suitable  opportunity  to  arVest  us.  To 
allay  his  fears  and  satisfy  him,  I  promised  faithfully  to  remain 
with  h.m  throughout  the  day,  and,  moreover,  kept  the  proraisS 

As  we  expected,  Mr.  Roberts  arrived  in  the  evening,  having 
received  my  letter  on  .Sunday  evening  and  left  LexingtS,^  on  th! 
followmg  morning.    Ho  said  he  had  been  detained  in  Cincinnati, 
on  accountof  some  business  difficulties,  considerably  longer  than 
he  at  first  expected ;  but  having  left  us  in  a  flourishing  condition 
and  .avmg  no  fear  of  our  being  in  any  way  molested  by  the  au- 
thorities, ho  had  no  cause  to  feel  any  uneasiness  on  our  account. 
I  reached  Lexington,"  he  said, "  about  four  o'clock  on  Saturday 
evenhig,  and  heard  that  Jack  had  been  at  my  house,  inquiring 
for  me.  I  walked  directly  down  to  your  gambling-room,  where  I 
found  a  game  going  forward,  dealt  bv  Mr.  Smiley,  a  friend  of 
col.  Bowles.    To  all  my  inquiries  respecting  you,  he  could  give 
but  one  answer,  which  was  that  you  had  'pulled  up  stakes  and 
gone,'  as  he  expressed  it.    I  then  went  to  the  hotel,  where  I  was 
informei.  that  you  had  left  the  house  suddenly  the  evening  be- 
fore, in  company  with  Col.  Bowles,  to  whom  I  was  referred  for 
further  mformation.    In  the  course  of  the  evening  I  found  that 
gentleman,  and  he  answered  my  questions  relative  to  your  sud- 
den chaogeof  base  in  this  wise:  «My  friend  Major  Jenks  got  the 
studs    on  and  left  town  kithi';  the  damned  old  fool  got  tired 


410 


WANDEBIN08  OF  A.  VAOADOND. 


006  he'd  won  too  much  money  I  I  tried  hard  tor  get  'im  to  stay 
through  the  races,  but  he  wouldn't,  so  I  bought  his  gambrag- 
room,  jlst  ter  oblige  'Im  more  'u  anything  olso.  I  had  tor  put 
Smiley  Bomewhar,  so  I  thought  I'd  stick  'im  in  thar.an'  see  If  ho 
couldn't  do  somethln'  for  hlsself.'  I  asked  him  where  you  had 
gone,  and  he  said  he  believed  you  went  to  Cincinnati,  but 
couldn't  say  for  certahi.  I  tried  to  find  out  from  him  wlmt  sort 
of  conveyance  you  left  town  by,  but  he  could  not  tell  me  that 
either.  Your  unaccountable  flight  gave  me  o-islderable  uneasi- 
ness, not  because  you  had  money  belonging  to  mo— on  that  score 
I  was  perfectly  satisfled  everything  was  right— but  your  myste- 
rious and  hurried  departure  was  to  me  inexplicable,  and  I  could 
only  account  for  it  to  myself  on  the  ground  of  some  extraordi- 
nary fear  having  been  brought  to  bear  on  you," 

"On  the  following  evening  I  received  your  letter  informing 
me  that  you  had  ascertained  that  the  authorities  were  going 
to  arrest  you,  and  that  you  were  enabled  to  escape  through  the 
kind  assistance  of  Col.  Bowles.    In  a  moment,  knowing  him 
as  I  did  for  a  scheming  trickster,  I  saw  the  whole,  and  knew  you 
had  been  made  the  victims  of  his  deception.     But  In  order 
to  satisfy  myself  entirely,  and  leave  no  room  for  doubt,  I  called 
upon  the  prosecuting  Attorney,  the  Shg-lfif,  and  Mr.  Dawson, 
the  City  Marshal,  who  each  separately  told  me  that  they  had 
never  heard  of  any  complaint  having  been  made  against  you, 
and  that  no  warrant  had  ever  been  Issued  for  your  arrest,  nor 
had  any  such  thing  ever  been  In  contemplation.    I  have  every 
confidence  in  the  assertion  of  these  gentlemen.    They  are  among 
my  warmest  friends,  and  I  know  they  would  not  deceive  me. 
I  took  the  stage  next  morning,  and  here  I  am,  and  I  want  you 
both  to  return  with  me  to  Lexington,  to-morrow  morning.    I'll 
show  you  whether  I  can  protect  your  game  there  or  not,  and  1 11 
make  the  town  a  d-n  sight  too  hot  to  hold  Jake  Towles  out- 
side the  stone-jog."  _  ^, ,        ,  ... 
Howard  having  already  prepared  me  for  something  of  this 
kind,  I  was  not  so  completely  taken  by  surprise  as  was  the 
M^or,  who  was  really  to  be  pitied,  though  he  had  probably  fall- 
en  into  this  self-same  trap  for  perhaps  the  sixtieth  time  in  his 
life.    On  short  acquaintance  he  had  never  been  so  completely 
wrapped  up  in  any  one  as  he  had  been  in  Col.  Jacob  Bowles; 
and  now,  to  And  that  all  his  bombastic  tales,  to  which  he  had  lis- 


r  get  Mm  to  Btay 

t  bis  gambl'aK- 

I  bad  tor  put 

bar,  an'  see  if  bo 

where  you  bad 

Cincinnati,  but 

n  bim  wliut  sort 

lot  toll  ine  tliat 

sidorable  unoa»i- 

10 — on  tbat  score 

■but  your  rayste- 

ible,  and  I  could 

aome  extraordl- 

letter  informing 
■ities  were  going 
capo  tbrougb  tbo 
?t,  knowing  bim 
lo,  and  knew  you 
1.  But  in  order 
or  doubt,  I  called 
md  Mr.  Dawson, 
le  tbat  tbey  bad 
jade  against  you, 
ir  your  arrest,  nor 
a.    I  have  every 

They  are  among 
I  not  deceive  me. 
a,  and  I  want  you 
ow  morning.  I'll 
are  or  not,  and  I'll 
Jake  rowles  out- 

iomething  of  this 
rprise  as  was  the 
bad  probably  fall- 
xtieth  time  in  bis 
een  so  completely 
ol.  Jacob  Bowles; 
)  which  he  hod  11s- 


Tna  FLIGHT. 


411 


toned  so  delightedly,  and  all  his  flattering  professions  of  fUcnd- 
«bip,  wore  hut  tbo  artilicos  „f  a  cunning  trickster  to  rob  him ! 
tZZ'"^  ";"«"»"ting.    The  rovolathum  of  the  duplicity  and 

time  actually  to  stupefy  him  an.l  cause  him  to  lose  his  faculty  of 
r?mn«  ""V^''"".*""  recovorcl  his  powers  of  articulation,  llko 
^tS  fountain  which,  in  overcoming  some  obstacle  has 
gathered  now  force.  n,o  curses  flowed  from  his  lips  in  an  un- 

BharoT!  Whi'r  'T"-  ';"""'"'"^'  thieving  horse-jockies  and 
th«i?nLJl^J  '  '  ''"  ^'""  "'^'"'  ''"l"^-^*  ^»"«t  I  always  bo 
inloH^  .  "''"?«'«"  a™  «»  thiovos,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest;  the  infernal  tribo of  villains !" 

lec7thTi"""f  '°™^^^''*J»'-'  Moderate  your  language;  recol- 
lect that  I  made  my  debut  on  the  turf  many  vcars  ago.    Then 

Erun^MJi'''"'™'^  ^l'""^'  ^'^'  '^'^•^"«'»"'  «"<i  "^<^^y  others, 
taso  up,  Mi\jor,  ease  up." 

am3'„'*H  "^"^*":f;«  ^••«ak8,  sir,  to  sprinkle  a  fnw  gentlemen 
Jr^  ^t      ,"'"""'  ^^'''''''-    ""*  e'^°  "^0  y"""-  hand,  Jack,"  ho 

vou ;  r  ;^ '" ""'''  "^  "^^  ^''''  ^"  '^p"'"^^'  '-^"'i^'^-"  'i«>"o 

y^u  a  great  pecuniary  wrong  by  my  folly.  Had  I  taken  your 
advice,  sir,  that  mfernal  thief  could  never  have  injured  us;  but 
youll  punish  him,  won't  you,  Roberts?  You  can  and  mu;t  do 
II,  111  pay  the  expenses,  whatever  they  may  bo  " 

"No,  sir!    You'll  do  nothing  of  the  sort,"  returned  the  gen-  " 
tleman  addressed;  "and  rest  assured  I'll  make  Lexington  a 
pre  ty  wa,rm  place  for  Mr.  Bowles  when  I  get  back!    But  you're 
both  coming  back  with  me,  aren't  yonf  "  he  inquired. 

to  Vfa-ginia,  and  I'll  stay  there,  too;  and  if  I'm  ever  caught  out- 
side of  it  again  I  hope  they'll  stick  mo  in  some  jail,  and  keep 
me  there  for  the  balance  of  my  natural  life!" 

''And  you,  Jackt"  he  asked,  turning  towards  me. 

"I'm  going  to  New  Orleans." 

Early  on  the  following  morning  I  crossed  the  river  with  Mr. 
Roberts,  and  saw  him  oflf  on  tbo  stage  coach  for  Lexington,  after 
he  had  promised  to  write  me  at  length,  in  the  course  of  a  few 
days.  At  eleven  o'clock  of  the  same  day  I  saw  the  Major  start 
off  on  the  mall  boat  for  Cincinnati,  and  took  a  kind  farewell  of 
my  dear  old  fHend,  whom  I  then  saw  for  the  last  time  on  earth, 
although  I  did  not  fall  to  correspond  regularly  with  him,  up  to 


41B  WAHDBRIN08  OF  ▲  VAGABOND. 

TvltUln  a  few  years  of  his  death,  which  event  took  place  at  Rlch- 

!^nn  1  llial]     no  had  uccumuhitod  a  sufflclont  competency, 

rp;o irof  b"  ilroBt  m  various  faro-hanU-  in  Ri— ^ 

and  WaHhington,  to  keep  Uliu  la  comlort  and  respectability 

'Cf  pleair;t''co;resp.,ndence  was  broken  in  upon  in  consc- 
ouence  of Z  rcsMeas  dlHi>o8ltion,  and  tl>e  wild,  wamlorinK  U  o 
;  rdurinrmany  years.' being  "fto"  n-tl«  at  ^  '.ne  wh  e 
letters  and  post-offices  wore,  to  say  the  'f^^' ^^^  "\.3  "J 

jtpL  S  China,  1  learned,  to  my  unfeigned  bo^ow   ^hat  th 
Boul  of  mor  George  Jenks  had  returned  to     «  M»J°^^^^^^^^^ 

a  warmer  heart.    Peace  to  his  ashes.  recoived  a 

A  few  days  after  the  departure  of  my  friends,  I  recolvea 
letter  of  which  the  following  la  an  exact  copy. 

Lexington,  Oct.  S»,  itw- 

Friend  Jack:  ,  j-^^.  njgjjt,  and 

irr.:L^s  t  So.i:^tLS "'  ..,000  e.., 

Bowles  shall  learn  to  his  sorrow  ^^J'J*  '    "  j°^%Tther  pleasant 
his  little  joke  wiU  not  turn  out  in-the  md  to  be  eiiner  y 

or  profitable.  Respectfully  yours,  ^^^^ 


place  at  Rich- 

It  competency, 

I  la  Richmond 

reBpcctabillty 

upon  In  conso- 
wanilorinK  Hfo 
it  a  time  where 
'ot  in  their  cx- 
ftcr  vagabond- 
g  the  Hhores  ol 
orrow,  that  the 
its  Maker,  and 
1  of  his  beloved 
resting-place  ol 
that  of  one  who 
WB,  or  possessed 

is,  I  received  a 

,  Oct.  26,  183-. 

last  nlgbt,  and 
onol  Bowles  and 

arrested.  This 
louso,  they  were 
m  bail  for  their 

of  $1,000  each, 

up,  and  Colonel 
ae  with  him,  that 
)e  either  pleasant 


Roberts- 


THE  MIB8I88IPPI. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

TUK   MISSISHIITI. 

fn,t^r  ^"^u-  """'■  ^^'^  ''^""^''  TocoTdcd  In  the  Ia»t  chapter,  I 
found   mysoil  a  passongcr  on  board  the  "Mediator,"  gliding 
alo>jg  the  picturo8<|uo  banks  of  the  lower  Ohio,  onward  boimd 
for  Now  Or  cans    The  boat  was  crowded  with  passengers-men; 
womo.,  and  children-tho  greater  part  of  whom  were  resident, 
of  tlio  Crescent  City,  and  wlio  had  been  wandering  in  the  North 
during  the  hot  summer  months,  or  perhaps  the  East  or  West, 
wherever  business  or  pleasure  led,  in  order  to  avoid  the  myriadi 
of  mosquitoes  wliicli  a  kind  Provl.lence  bestows  so  bountifully  on 
the  denizens  of  the  sunny  Soutli  during  the  heated  term,  and 
that  t  iilco-droaded  scourge,   the   yellow  fever,  about  which 
earned  medical  men  have  wrangle.l  and  JaiiKlcd  for  more  than 
two  centuries,  without  being  one  whit  wiser  to-day  on  the  ques- 
tlon  of  wliero  the  poison  of  this  terrible  disease  lies,  or  from 
whence  It  is  extracted,  than  was  Pore  Dutertrc  when  he  flrsi 
caw  the  fearlul  malady  in  the  Antilles,  in  the  summer  of  1635 

A  few  minutes'  detention  at  that  classic  mud-hole  denomina- 
ted  Cairo,  and  I  was  at  length  launched  on  the  broad  bosom  of 
the  great  Father  of  Waters,  as  American  vanity  is  fond  of  styling 
It.    The  yearning  of  years  was  finally  gratified ;  but  what  a  dis- 
appointment!   The  mjUestic  river!    The  mighty  river'    The 
grand  river!  The  father  of  waters!  The  very  first  sight  instant- 
ly  destroyed  every  vestige  of  romance  engendered  by  these 
sounding  titles,  and  many  more  of  the  same  sort,  which,  ft-ommy 
earliest  youth  up,  I  had  heard  applied  to  these  turbid  and 
treacherous  waters.    While  steaming  down  its  swift  and  dingy 
current,  not  a  single  beautiful  object  in  all  the  landscape  met 
"fl  T'  ,       J^ff  '*™'''"y  monotony.    The  alluvial  shore  on  one 
side  lined  with  blue  mud,  while  on  the  opposite  bank  the  scene 
waa  varied  by  immense  stretches  of  white  sand,  which  the  winds 
in  their  sportive  fancy,  raised  in  clouds,  and  whirled  hither  and 
thither  m  circling  eddies.    Then  the  shore  would  be  for  miles 
covered  with  almost  impenetrable  forests  of  aah  and  Cottonwood, 


414 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


underlined  with  a  lioavy  growth  of  thick  fields  of  matted  cane, 
which  confined  the  vision,  like  the  river,  within  the  banks,  and 
made  the  eye  turn  for  relief  to  the  blue  vault  of  heaven,  iiven 
the  melancholy  sight  of  suagged  steamers,  which  every  now  and 
then  met  our  view,  were  welcome  breaks  to  the  dreary  same- 
ness of  the  voyage,  while  the  appearance  of  an  occasional  wood- 
pile /ilong  the  shore  gave  us  the  assurance  that  we  had  not  en- 
tirely passed  beyond  the  confines  of  civilization,  and  the  hail 
of  a  passing  steamer  gave  more  than  usual  confidence  and  plea- 
sure. 

What  indomitable  courage,  what  patience,  what  perseverance 
must  those  pioneers  of  Civilization  have  possessed,  Tho  first 
sailed  down  this  unknown  stream!  How  comparatively  few 
among  the  millions  who  glided  over  the  bosom  of  this  gigantic 
ocean  tributary,  ever  even  heard  the  names  of  Marquette,  La 
Salle,  or  Jollietf  Launched  upon  this  unknown  stream,  In  their 
frail  bark  canoes,  with  nothing  but  vast  swamps,  fields  of  desert 
sand,  matted  cane-brakes,  and  impenetrable  forests  to  greet 
their  vision ;  ready  to  fall  a  prey  at  any  moment  to  savage  beasts, 
or,  worse  still,  to  barbarous  and  blood-thirsty  men,  they  yet  did 
not  despair.  Each  moment  the  current  was  carrying  them 
farther  from  friends,  home,  and  all  they  held  most  dear ;  per- 
haps to  ignominious  captivity  or  a  painful  death.  But,  animated 
by  a  noble  resolve,  they  feared  none  of  these  things,  -but  pressed 
on  through  discouragements  and  dangers  sufficient  to  appall  the 
stoutest  heart  till  their  end  was  gained. 

The  whole  civilized  world  has  for  generations  showered  prais- 
es on  Columbus  for  the  courage,  patience,  and  perseverance 
with  which  he  pursued  his  westerly  course  over  unknown  seas, 
in  search  of  a  new  world;  nor  would  I  take  a  single  leaf  from  the 
wreath  of  fame  by  which  he  is  immortally  crowned.  He  was  cer- 
tainly well  qualified,  both  by  nature  and  education,  for  his  ardu- 
ous undertaking,  and  had  he  failed,  the  compass  which  steered  him 
onward  would  enable  him  to  retrace  his  steps.  The  sight  of 
birds,  floating  driftwood,  and  the  finding  of  bottom  with  the  lead, 
enabled  him  to  keep  up  the  rapidly  sinking  spirit 'j  of  his  crew 
and  reanimate  them  with  new  hopes.  Behind  hi  n  were  power- 
ful patrons  who  believed  in  his  success,  and  who  had  furnished 
him  with  ships,  men,  and  means,  and  sent  him  on  his  dubious 
and  uncertain  voyage.    Should  he  be  successful,  as  he  firmly  be- 


T 


.3  of  matted  cane, 
Lin  the  banks,  and 
of  hoaveu.  Even 
ich  every  now  and 
the  dreary  same- 
1  occasional  wood- 
at  we  had  not  en- 
tion,  and  the  hail 
nfldence  and  plea- 

what  perseverance 
issessed,  who  first 
jomparatively  few 
im  of  this  gigantic 
of  Marquette,  La 
vn  stream,  In  their 
ips,  fields  of  desert 
[e  forests  to  greet 
[it  to  savage  beasts, 
'  men,  they  yet  did 
ras  carrying  them 
d  most  dear;  per- 
ith.  But,  animated 
things,  but  pressed 
icient  to  appall  the 

ms  showered  prais- 
and  perseverance 
ver  unknown  seas, 
single  leaf  from  the 
n^ned.  He  was  cer- 
cation,  for  his  ardu- 
33  which  steered  him 
;eps.  The  sight  of 
lottom  with  the  lead, 
spirit 'i  of  his  crew 
id  hi  n  were  power- 
who  had  furnished 
him  on  his  dubious 
sful,  as  he  firmly  be- 


THE  MISSISSIFFL 


415 


lieved  he  was  certam,  in  reaching  the  East  Indies  by  a  shorter 
route  than  by  way  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  on  his  return  wealth 
and  honors  were  waiting  to  bo  showered  upon  him  with  lavish 
hands. 

Marquette  and  JoUiet  had  no  powerful  government  or  pa- 
trons  to  encourage  or  assist  them  in  their  perilous  journey.  Their 
five  Indian  companions  and  two  birch  canoes  were  their  sole  ret- 
inue and  means  of  transportation.    The  Potawattamie  braves 
heard  of  their  project  with  wonder  and  incredulity.    "  Those 
distant  nations,"  said  they,  "never  spare  the  stranger:  their 
mutual  wars  fill  the  borders  with  bands  of  marauding  warriors 
who  never  spare  the  captives  who  fall  into  their  hands:  the  great 
nver  abounds  in  monstera  who  devour  both  men  and  canoes,  and 
the  excessive  heat  occasions  death."  But  to  all  these  things  these 
mdomitable  explorers  turned  a  deaf  ear,  and,  animated  by  a  high 
courage  and  noble  resolve,  started  upon  their  dimgerous  way. 
When  the  shores  of  Spain  receded  from  the  view  of  Columbus, 
as  he  started  on  his  voyage  of  discovery,  his  future  was  not  the 
shadow  of  a  shade  darker,  if  as  dark  as  that  of  Marquette  when 
he  launched  his  frail  squadron  on  the  bosom  of  the  Mississippi. 
Columbus  was  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  enjoyed  by  sailors 
at  tiiat  time,  aud  had  no  more  danger  to  apprehend  than  that 
wbich  falls  to  the  lot  of  ordinary  mariners;  his  ships  were  sea- 
worthy,  and  manned  by  picked  sailors  and  warriors  ready  to  en- 
force  his  commands  if  necessary.    Marquette  and  his  compan- 
ions knew  as  little  where  they  were  going,  as  did  Columbus  and 
his  comrades.     The  former  knew  by  observation  that  large 
streams  of  water  made  their  way  to  the  sea ;  but  knew  not,  sup- 
posing himself  to  have  overcome  all  obstacles,  and  to  have  reach- 
ed the  mouth,  whether  those  waters  were  received  by  the  At- 
lantic or  Pacific  Ocean,  or  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.    Christianity,  civ- 
ilization, and  the  glory  of  Prance,  induced  him  to  tempt  unknown 
dangers,  tropical  heats,  and  intolerable  insects,  savage  beasts 
and  more  savage  men,  in  order  to  solve  this  question.    The  sa- 
cred calumet  of  peace,  hung  around  his  neck  by  the  IlUnols 
chieftain,  was  to  him  and  his  comrades  a  better  protection  than 
the  armed  adventurers  who  followed  Columbus.     Marquette, 
Jolhet,  and  afterwards  La  Salle,  discovered  the  mighty  river 
from  its  source  to  its  mouth;  but  posterity  has  very  nearly  rob- 
bed them  of  their  hard-earned  and  richly  deserved  laurels.    Ex- 


41« 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


cept  in  the  pages  of  history,  or  an  occasional  steamer  or  insig- 
niticant  village  or  county  which  has  Iwrue  the  names  of  these 
heroic  men,  their  memories  are  almost  entirely  obliterated. 
Neither  the  chisel  of  the  sculptor  nor  the  brush  of  the  painter  has 
transmitted  to  posterity  the  lineaments  of  either.  Even  France, 
who  delights  to  honor  the  memory  of  her  brave  sons,  has  allow- 
ed their  names  to  sink  almost  into  oblivion,  though  she  never 
produced  more  daring  explorers,  or  men  who  have  given  to  her 
more  territory  or  more  widely  extended  her  fame.  But  it  is  a 
general  weakness  with  mankind  to  honor  and  laud  the  bloody 
deeds  of  cut- throat  warriors,  more  than  to  properly  acknowledge 
the  services  of  men  who,  by  their  brains,  pei  severance,  and 
courage,  have  opened  up  to  future  civilization  regions  hitherto 
unknown  and  unexplored.  ,  .    ,»• 

The  world  only  knows  De  Soto  as  the  discoverer  of  the  Missis* 
sippi,  and  as  such  has  sounded  peans  of  praises  for  his  deeds  and 
delighted  to  honor  his  memory.  Ships,  steamers,  counties,  vil- 
lages and  even  rum-mills,  have  been  called  after  him,  and  still 
keep  his  memory  green  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  not  to  men- 
tlon  that  noble  effort  of  one  of  our  ablest  artists,  which  adorns 
the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  representing  his  ar- 
rival on  the  banks  of  the  great  river ;  a  master-piece  which 
none  who  have  once  beheld  can  ever  forget. 

But  the  honor  falls  not  where  It  Is  justly  due.  As  a  blind  hog 
stumbles  on  an  acorn,  so  did  De  Soto  discover  the  Mississippi 
River  After  assisting  In  the  robbing  of  the  Peruvians,  he  re- 
turned to  Spain  with  his  blood-stained  gold ;  but  not  satisfied 
with  the  deeds  of  murder  and  rapine  ho  had  committed,  nor  with 
the  amount  of  his  ill-gotten  treasures,  he  started  from  Floric^a 
westward  in  search  of  adventure  with  more  than  a  thousand  un- 
principled cut- throats  in  his  train,  ready  for  any  deeds  of  vio- 
lence and  blood.  The  exploration  of  unknown  regions  for  the 
benefit  of  his  race  was  by  no  means  the  object  of  the  expedition; 
but  gold.  "  The  Spaniard  has  a  disease  of  the  heart,  and  noth- 
ing but  gold  can  cure  it,"  said  Plzarro ;  and  none  knew  his  coun- 
trymen better  than  that  cruel  tyrant. 

But  little  is  known  of  the  particulars  of  the  expedition  or 
De  Soto.  He  was  not  accompanied  by  a  lying  Gomara  to  cover 
up  his  disgraceful  and  bloody  deeds  with  the  flowers  of  rhetoric, 
aa  was  Cortez,  but  it  seems  that,  after  rambUng  about  for  some 


t 


samer  or  insig- 
mmes  of  these 
)ly  oblitorated. 
tbo  painter  has 
Even  France, 
mm,  has  allow- 
)ugh  she  never 
76  given  to  her 
le.  But  it  is  a 
lud  the  bloody 
•ly  acknowledge 
t^veranco,  and 
■egions  hitherto 

er  of  the  Missis- 
or  his  deeds  and 
•s,  counties,  vil- 
r  him,  and  still 
)lo,  not  to  men- 
3,  which  adorns 
•esenting  his  ar- 
iter-pieco  which 

Aa  A  blind  hog 
the  Mississippi 
eruvians,  he  re- 
but not  satisfied 
imitted,  nor  with 
5d  from  Flori(^a 
I  a  thousand  un- 
iny  deeds  of  vio- 
1  regions  for  the 
f  the  expedition ; 
heart,  and  noth- 
le  knew  his  coun- 

le  expedition  of 
Oomara  to  cover 
)wer8  of  rhetoric, 
:  about  for  some 


THE  MISSISSIPPI. 


417 


time  in  that  portion  of  the  country  which  now  comprises  the 
States  of  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  brutally  massa- 
creing  the  unoffending  natives,  buruiug  their  huts,  and  commit- 
ting every  possible  deed  of  violeuco  and  murder,  ho  reached 
the  groat  stream  near  the  mouth  of  White  River.    From  thence 
he  rambled  on  to  the  southern  borders  of  the  Missouri,  and 
from  f'jcuce  southward  to  the  Ited  Kiver.    The  outrages  which 
characierized  the  first  part  of  his  expedition  were  in  no  wise 
abated.    He  wantonly  murdered  and  enslaved  the  natives  who 
crossed  his  path,  and  every  step  of  his  journey  was  marked 
with  blood.    Disease,  together  with  his  frequent  battles  with 
♦he  natives,  had  now  reduced  his  ranks  to  about  four  hundred 
men.    They  sought  gold,  but  found  graves.    Finally  the  death 
of  De  Soto,  and  his  romantic  burial  by  night,  beneath  the  waters 
of  the  Mi8sissippi,.has  left  behind  him  a  strong  tincture  of  ro- 
mance, to  cover  the  deeds  of  the  bloody  marauder,  and  has 
impressed  posterity  with  the  belief  that  be  fell  a  martyr  to  the 
cause  of  civilization  and  the  good  of  unborn  generations  of  his 
Icllow-men.    But  a  very  diflerent  motive  governed  his  actions: 
sordid  avarice  spurred  him  and  his  followers  on;  the  hope  of 
fiindng  another  Peru  or  Mexico,  abounding  with  gold,  which  they 
might  obtain  by  murdering  the  untutored  natives— a  thing  they 
would  have  done  with  as  little  compunction  as  they  would  have 
crushed  a  noxious  insect  in  their  path,  and  thereby  adding  to 
the  already  bloody  laurels  of  Spain.    If  it  be  true  that  the  fol- 
lowers of  De  Soto  escaped  the  richly  deserved  vengeance  of  the 
natives,  and  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  and  from 
thence  across  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Panuco  River,  it  is  one 
of  the  very  strangest  events  in  history,  that  a  river  of  such 
magnitude,  whose  mouth  must  have  consequently  become  known 
to  the  Spaniards,  should  have  remained  undiscovered  and  un- 
known for  more  than  a  century  afterwards.    TL(3  w'lole  tale 
seems  as  fabulous  as  the  fountain  of  youth,  or  the  undiscovered 
Eldorado. 

In  the  year  1823,  Captain  Shreve  commanded  the  good  steamer 
"  General  Washington,"  then  the  fastest  boat  that  ever  plowed 
the  western  waters.  In  the  designated  year  he  made  the 
quickest  time  ever  known,  between  New  Orleans  and  Louisville, 
and  on  his  arrival  at  the  latter  port  he  anchored  his  steamer  in 
the  middle  of  the  river  and  fired  twenty-five  guns,  being  one  for 


418 


WAJTDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOKD. 


1  Ja  ' 


each  day  consumed  in  making  liis  trip,  then  considered  the  most 
wonderful  voyage  over  accomplisbcd.    Ttio  entire  population  of 
Louisville  were  gathered  on  the  bank  to  behold  that  wondor  of 
speed,  the  glorious  "General  Washington."     Captain  Shrove 
was  feted,  and   borne  in  triumph  by  the  huzzaing  multitude 
through  the  streets  of  Louisville,  and  in  <leep-felt  gratitude  for 
the  honors  showered  on  him,  thanked  his  enthusiastic  admirers 
in  an  eloquent  speech,  while  toasts  were  drank,  and  "red-eye" 
flowed  freely,  and  all  declared  the  time  made  by  the  "  George 
Washington "  could   never  be  equaled.     But    in  defiance  of 
this  assertion  the  time  was  beaten  before  the  end  of  the  season, 
and  in  1828  the  "Tecumseh  "  made  the  same  trin  in  eight  days 
and  seventeen  hours,  and  in  the  year  1843  the  "Sultana  "  made 
the  trip  in  four  days  and  tweuty-twt)  hours.  From  the  time  of  tlie 
memorable  trip  of  the  "  George  Washington,"  down  to  the .     edy 
voyage  of  the  "  Sultana,"  steamers  have  vied  with  each  other, 
both  in  racing  and  in  making  fast  trips.    As  a  consequence  of 
this  delectable  pastime,  tne  souls  of  hundreds  of  persons  were 
hurried  before  the  throne  of  their  Maker,  unprepared  and  un- 
called, by  the  burning  of  steamers,  bursting  of  boilers,  and  run- 
ning upon  snags.    In  this  golden  era  it  was  considered  highly 
dishonorable  for  a  steamboat  captain   to  allow  his  steamer, 
while  under  way,  to  be  passed  by  another  boat  without  giving 
her  a  race ;  and  these  trials  of  speed  but  too  often  rfisulted  in 
the  scattering  of  their  passengers  in  every  imaginable  direction, 
by  the  blowing  up  of  their  boilers.    Whenever  a  steamer  was 
destroyed,  with  the  majority  of  its  passengers  and  crew,  by  a 
snag,  a  fire,  collision,  or  compressed  steam,  a  body  of  citizens 
under  the  title  of  a  "committee  "  or  a  "jury  of  inquiry  "  would  be 
appointed  to  make  a  searching  inquiry  into  the  "appalling  ac- 
cident," as  the  public  press  would  most  probably  denqminate  it. 
It  being  for  the   interest  of  steamboat  owners  to  exonerate 
themselves  in  the  eyes  of  the  public  from  the  charge  of  running 
unsafe  steamers  or  employing  incapable  officers,  they  would 
spare  neither  money  nor  trouble  to  have  upon  the  examination 
committee  their  own  creatures,  and  the  verdict  rendered  was  in 
nineteen  cases  out  of  twenty,  the  same  old  tune,  "nobody  to 
blame."    In  the  meantime,  one  or  two  of  the  most  important 
newspapers,  near  the  scene  of  the  disaster,  would  he  squared  to 
inform  the  public  that  it  was  impossibla  to  guard  against  such 


THE  MISSISSIFFL 


[lored  the  most 
}  population  of 
that  wundur  of 
:<aptaiu  Sbi'ove 
ling  multitude 
t  gratitude  for 
iastic  admirers 
and  "red-eye" 
y  the  "  George 
in  defiance  of 

of  the  season, 
)  in  eight  days 
Sultana  "  made 

the  time  of  tlie 
nto  the.  edy 
ith  each  other, 
consequence  of 
)f  persons  were 
spared  and  un- 
oilera,  and  run- 
isidered  highly 
(v  his  steamer, 
without  giving 
rten  insulted  in 
a<able  direction, 

a  steamer  was 
and  crew,  by  a 
ody  of  citizens 
luiry  "  would  be 
"appalling  ac- 

denqminate  it. 
1  to  exonerate 
arge  of  running 
irs,  they  would 
he  examination 
rendered  was  in 
ine,  "nobody  to 
most  important 
i  be  squared  to 
rd  against  such 


419 


accidents,  and  that  the  officers  wore  all  perfectly  efficient,  and 
had  nobly  performed  their  duty  in  the  hour  of  peril.  Trade  and 
property  were  so  powerful,  that  authority  dare  not  question  the 
incapabiUty  or  recklosauesu  of  rirer  men,  and  the  scale  i.i  which 
reposed  the  safety  of  human  life  kicked  the  beam  when  bal- 
anced against  that  which  contained  money. 

In  those  pal'^y  days,  steamboat  officers  did  what  seemed 
good  in  their  own  sight,  with  none  to  molest  or  mako  them 
afraid.    They  neither  dreaded  courts  of  justice  nor  were  they 
one  whit  restrained  by  fear  of  public  opinion,  from  committing 
the  most  brutal  outrages  on  inofifensivo  persors  placed  in  their 
charge.    The  mate  or  engineer  who  could  .  old  a  billet  of 
wood  or  a  bar  of  iron  the  most  scientifically  on  the  heads  of 
deck-hands,  firemen,  and  deck-passengers,  was  considered  "a 
regular  screamer,"  and  received  the    highest  wages.     When 
laborers  were  plenty  on  the  levee  at  New  Orleans,  it  was  common 
for  steamers  to  hire  twenty-flve  or  tliirty  more  than  the  comple- 
ment required  for  her  crew,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  taking  in 
of  sufficient  pine  wood  to  run  the  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles 
up  the  rivei,  and  to  discharge  whatever  way-cargo  she  might 
have  between  New  Orleans  and  Vicksburg.    These  men  would 
be  discharged  at  the  different  landings  on  the  river  as  fast  as 
their  services  were  no  longer  required,  having  shipped  with  the 
idea  that  they  would  be  wanted  for  the  round  trip.    They  did 
not,  of  course,  expect  that,  after  a  few  days'  hard  labor,  they 
would  be  discharged  in  a  place  where  it  was  impossible  for 
them  to  get  anything  to  do,  and  where  it  would  cost  them  more 
money  than  they  had  earned  to  take  them  back  to  New  Orleans. 
These  hands  were  sometimes— aa  a  punishment  for  incurring  the 
displeasure  of  some  of  the  petty  officers— set  ashore  in  impene- 
trable cane-brakes,  or  on  lonely  islands,  and  any  murmurings  or 
remonstrances  on  their  part  were  instantly  silenced  by  a  blow  on 
the  head  with  a  billet  of  wood,  and  not  unfrequently  the  knife 
and  the  bullet  were  brought  into  requisition.    Nor  were  passen- 
gers exempt  from  these  brutalities.     To  those  of  wealth  and  in- 
fluence the  most  slavish  attention  was  shown,  while  modest  and 
unassuming  strangers  were  neglected  and  treated  with  rudeness 
and  contempt  if  they  dared  demand  their  rights.    The  smallest 
mfringement  of  the  rules  of  the  boat  has  planted  many  a  one  in 
a  solitary  state  on  the  edge  of  a  cane-brake,  with  his  luggage 


«n 


WANDEBnros  or  a  vagabond. 


beside  him.  Deck  passengers  were  stowed  like  hogs  on  the 
lower  deck  of  the  steamer,  where  they  were  made  to  feel  all  ^he 
degradation  of  poverty  in  the  brutal  and  disgraceful  treatment 
they  received  from  the  pettj  officers  belonging  to  tha  boat. 

Maltreated  crews  of  vessels  and  steamers,  and  also  their  pas- 
sengers, had  from  time  to  time  brought  their  wrongs  before  the 
tribunals  of  their  country  and  clamored  for  redress.    But  It  was 
Impossible  to  obtain  anything  like  justice,  where  capital  was  the 
defendant;  and  in  no  cities  were  these  tribunals  more  blunted 
or  deaf  to  the  cries  of  justice,  than  In  St.  Louis,  Louisville,  and 
New  Orleans.    In  these  cities  the  majority  of  the  river  steamers 
wore  owned  by  the  wealthy  merchants,  and  the  officers  of  these 
steamers  were  their  servants,  whom  they  protected  at  al)  haz- 
ards.   However  flagrant  their  crimes,  money  and  talent  were 
ready  to  stand  forth  in  their  defense  and  save  them  from  the 
lash  of  justice,  and  that  justice  was  dispensed  by  a  cultured  class 
who  were  but  too  ready  to  pander  to  the  power  of  the  almighty 
dollar.    What  could  Ignorant  crews  or  obscure  passengers  ex- 
pect, whose  only  reccmmendatlon  to  justice  was  that  they  had 
been  wronged,  while  opposed  lo  tbem  was  money  and  talent  In 
abundance— where  obsequious  .Judges  and  prosecuting  attor- 
neys were  eager  to  bow  the  knee  before  the  shrine  of  wealth 
and  influence.    But  let  the  accused  be  some  Ignorant  boat-hand 
or  some  obscure  passenger  on  trial  for  killing  or  maiming  some 
brutal  officer,  who  had  perhaps  tantalized  him  into  committing 
the  deed  by  his  taunts  and  jeers,  justLe  did  not  sleep  then ;  but 
listened  to  the  accusation,  and  condemned  the  guilty  wretch  as 
implacably  as  the  presiding  dignitary  over  the  "Court  of  Death," 
delineated  by  the  masterly  pencil  of  Rembrandt  Peel,  meted  out 
his  award  to  every  culprit  brought  before  him. 

It  is  quite  natural  to  suppose  that  men  respecting  no  law 
Ba^e  that  of  brute  force  would  at  times  fall  victims  to  their  own 
dastardly  deeds  of  violence.  Such  was  in  many  instances  the 
case  among  the  steamboat  officers.  Numbers  were  openly 
killed  or  secretly  assassinated  by  those  whom  they  had  maltreat- 
ed. In  the  large  cities  these  murderers  were  punished  by  law, 
when  arrested;  but  if,  after  the  commission  of  their  deeds  of 
blood,  the  perpetrators  could  gain  the  banks  either  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi or  Ohio  Kiver,  at  any  point  between  the  ports  of  St. 
Louis,  Louisville,  and  New  Orleans,  they  were  safe  trom  all  prai- 


[  like  hogs  on  tho 
Tiado  to  feel  all  ^be 
graceful  treatment 
ig  to  tha  boat, 
and  also  their  pas- 
'  wrongs  before  the 
jdress.  But  it  was 
lere  capital  was  the 
inals  more  blunted 
mis,  Louisville,  and 
r  tho  river  steamers 
the  officers  of  thcso 
otected  at  all  liaz- 
sy  and  talent  were 
ave  them  from  the 
[by  a  cultured  class 
ner  of  the  almighty 
lure  passengers  ex- 
>  was  that  they  had 
noney  and  talent  in 

prosecuting  attor- 
lie  shrine  of  wealth 
ignorant  boat-band 
Ig  or  maiming  some 
lim  into  committing 
not  sleep  then ;  but 
the  guilty  wretch  as 
e"  Court  of  Death," 
mdt  P«el,  meted  out 
m. 

1  respecting  no  law 
victims  to  their  own 

many  instances  the 
mbers  were  openly 
1  they  had  maltreat- 
>re  punished  by  law, 
on  oi  their  deeds  of 
Ics  either  of  the  Mis- 
een  the  ports  of  St. 
ire  safe  tram  all  pim- 


XHB  HIS8I88IFFZ. 


421 


tahment  by  the  law.  The  people  who  lived  in  the  scattered 
settlements  along  the  banks  of  these  rivers  had  conceived  a 
deep  and  abiding  hatred  towards  the  generality  of  steamboat 
officials,  on  account  of  tuelr  brutal  and  overbearing  conduct 
The  first  season  that  I  struck  the  Mississippi  River,  twenty-two 
steamboat  officers  fell  by  the  bullet  and  the  knife,  in  consequence 
of  having  violated  the  persons  of  their  murderers.  During  the 
same  summer  and  the  following  winter  eleven  boats  were 
snagged  between  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans,  and  sis  were 
blown  up  by  the  bursting  of  their  boilers,  and  over  Ave  hundred 
souls  were  hurried  into  the  presence  of  their  Maker.  High  old 
times  were  these  on  the  Mississippi  Kiver. 

The  long  suppressed  murmurings  of  public  opinion  against  the 
shameful  atrocities  perpetrated  by  river  men,  on  the  western 
waters,  became  now  too  formidable  to  be  longer  disregarded. 
Congress  passed  laws  regulating  the  navigation  of  all  inland 
steamers;  the  duties  of  steamboat  officials  were  clearly  defined ; 
committees  were  appoint«)d  to  examine  into  the  capabilities  of 
pilots  and  engineers,  and  also  to  ascertain  the  sea-worthiness  of 
vessels  carrying  freight  and  passengers;  inspectors  were  appoint- 
ed to  look  to  boilers  and  machinery.^ About  the  same  time  the 
people  of  Louisiana  demanded  of  thei|iegi8lators  that  severe  laws 
deflnmg  the  relations  between  steamboat  officers  and  their  crews 
should  be  passed,  and  the  public  voice  compelled  the  courts  to 
enforce  these  laws.    The  former  brutal  treatment  of  steamboat 
hands  was  no  longer  tolerated;  such  amusements  became  too 
costly  to  be  indulged  in  by  their  officers.    The  wages  of  crews 
had  to  be  settled  before  any  other  claims;  and  until  that  was 
done  the  boat  could  be  held  by  the  Sheriff.      Public  opinion 
frowned  down  steamboat  racing,  and  fewer  boilers  were  burst 
in  consequence.    The  "knock-down  and  drag-out"  officers  of 
the  "screamer"  tribe  were  obliged  to  stand  back  and  give  place 
to  such  as  could  direct  their  men  in  thd  performance  of  their 
duty,  without  resorting  to  oaths  and  violence.    Steamboat  offi- 
cers were  no  longer  permitted  to  gamble  with  passengers,  or  to 
enter  the  cabin  with  loud  oaths,  or  seat  themselves  at  the  din- 
ner-table in  filthy  garments  or  their  shirt-sleeves.    The  mess- 
room  and  sleeping-rooms  of  the  employes  were  separated  from 
those  of  the  passengers;  and  only  the  captain  and  his  clerk  and 
first  officer,  with  the  servants  required  ^here,  were  allowed  en- 


!'^*tgi>Hl?j5^'^^^^ie!fetf'»<p|ilBa53^;^^^^ 


4Sil 


WANDESnTOS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


tranco  into  the  cabin.  Humanity  and  courtesy  Las  made  mighty 
strides  in  this  section  of  the  country  over  cruelty  and  oppression. 
The  roclilessncss  and  brutality  which  once  characterized  steam- 
boat officials  has  totally  disappeared  from  our  western  waters ; 
and  to-day  the  traveler  can  nowhere  meet  with  kinder  or  more 
polite  treatment  than  on  board  a  river  steamer,  or  with  laoro 
civil  and  gentlemanly  men  than  their  officials. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 


KIVEB   SHARPERS. 


Day  and  night  during  our  voyage  on  the  "Mediator,"  from 
Ijoulsville  to  New  Orleans,  were  the  card-tables  surrounded  by 
the  votaries  of  chance,  and  often  as  many  aa  five  or  six  of  these 
tables  could  be  seen  scattered  from  the  ladies'  cabin  to  the  social 
hall  of  the  boat,  with  games  going  forward  at  each. 

The  games  which  were  mostly  played  In  those  days  on  river 
Bteamers  were  poker,  brag,  whist,  Botson,  and  old  sledge ;  and 
if  banking  games  were  set  up  in  the  social  hall,  they  were  usually 
vingt-et-un,  chuck,  and  sometimes  faro.  According  to  the  rules 
of  these  steamers,  all  gambling  was  prohibited  after  ten  o'clock 
in  the  evening ;  but  in  many  instances  these  rules  were  a  dead 
letter,  and  the  morning  sun  frequently  found  one  or  more  parties 
at  the  card-table  engaged  at  their  favorite  games.  In  these  jolly 
times  the  steamboat  officers  mingled  with  the  passengers  in  the 
cabin  as  equals,  and  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  uncouth 
pilots,  mates,  and  greaay  engineers  engaged  at  the  card-tables 
with  well-dressed  travelers.  Passengers  were  privileged  to 
amuse  themselves  just  as  they  pleased,  so  long  as  they  did  not 
infrhige  upon  the  rights  of  others,  or  interfere  in  any  respect 
with  the  duties  of  the  officers  or  crew.  This  latitude  sometimes 
led  to  some  rather  strong  contrasts ;  for  instance,  there  might 
frequently  be  seen  in  the  ladies'  cabin  a  group  of  the  godly  pray- 
ing and  singing  psalms,  while  in  the  dlning-saloon,  from  which 
the  tables  had  been  removed,  another  party  were  dancing  merri- 
ly to  the  music  of  a  fiddle,  while  farther  along,  in  the  social  hall, 
might  be  hoard  the  loud  laughter  of  jolly  carousers  around  the 


D. 

has  made  mighty 
ity  and  oppressiuu. 
nracterlzod  stoaiu- 
ir  western  waters ; 
th  kinder  or  more 
imer,  or  with  uore 


"Mediator,"  from 
)le8  surrounded  by 
five  or  six.  of  these 
'  cabin  to  the  social 

each. 

hose  days  on  river 
d  old  sledge;  and 
1,  they  were  usually 
!ording  to  the  rules 
id  after  ten  o'clock 

rule"?  were  a  dead 
one  or  more  parties 
mes.  In  these  jolly 
e  passengers  in  the 
ing  to  see  uncouth 

at  the  card-tables 
were  privileged  to 
ng  as  they  did  not 
Fere  in  any  respect 

latitude  sometimes 
Dtance,  there  might 
p  of  the  godly  pray- 
saloon,  from  which 
vere  dancing  merrl- 
g,  in  the  social  ball, 
rousers  around  the 


KIVER  8HARPEB& 


423 


drlnldug  bar,  and  occasioimliy  chiming  in  with  the  sound  of  the 
revelry,  tlie  rattling  of  u.onoy  uud  checks,  uiid  the  sound  of 
voices  ut  the  card- tables. 

Previous  lo  tiio  appourauce  of  the  card-sharper  and  his  newly 
iuveutud  schemes  for  cheating,  on  the  river  the  card-tublcs  of  a 
Bteumer  were  free  to  all  pei-sons  of  gentlemanly  habits  and  man- 
ners.  The  gambler  was  not  excluded  from  a  seat  there  on 
account  of  his  superior  skill  at  play;  or,  at  leas'„,  it  was  an  ox- 
ceodingly  rare  thing  for  one  person  to  object  to  another  on  these 
grounds.  Pride  would  not  permit  the  humiliating  confession. 
Nether  would  men  holding  real  or  equivocal  positions  in  society, 
at  a  who  by  the  arbitrary  laws  of  that  society,  felt  themselvr,^ 

.mpelled  to  shun  a  professional  gambler  on  the  street,  thi 
their  reputation  compromised  by  meeting  him  as  an  equal  on 
board  a  steamer  at  the  card-tables. 

The  votaries  of  chance  were  not  yet  aroused  to  the  fact  that 
taey  could  be  insidiously  robbed  at  the  card-table  when  every- 
thing  seemed  perfectly  fair  and  above-board;  but  when  that 
enlightening  took  place,  the  gambler  was  immediately  classed 
with  the  sharper,  because  the  verdant  wore  unable  to  under- 
stand where  the  gambler  left  off  and  the  thief  began.  Thimble- 
riggers,  dice-coggers,  trigger-wheel  players,  strop-players,  and 
card-sharpers  of  every  description,  were  classed  as  gamblers. 

These  river  sharpers,  for  their  mutual  advantage,  traveled  in 
small  companies,  but  while  on  board  a  steamer,  feigned  to  be 
total   strangers  to  each   other.     Their   number  was  always 
Bufflcient  fo  make  up  a  card  party  whenever  they  could  induce 
one  or  two  "gulls"  to  "join  them  in  a  small  game,  merely  for 
amusement."    Whenever  one  of  their  number  could  manage  to 
obtain  a  seat   among  a  poker  or  brag  party  that  would  not 
stand  any  rough  nonsense  in  the  way  of  "stocking,"  or  "hold- 
ing out,"  bis  confederates  would  seat  ♦hemselves  in  such  a 
position  that  they  could  see  the  cards  held  by  his  adversaries, 
and  "  item"  the  strength  of  their  hands  to  him  by  signs.    This 
was  done  variously,  sometimes  with  the  fingers,  one  held  out 
denoting  a  pair,  two,  two  pairs,  three,  threes,  four  fingers,  fours, 
and  five,  a  flush  or  full  hand.    Hands  were  sometimes  tele- 
graphed by  twirling  the  head  of  a  cane  in  various  directions; 
and  men  had  ystems  of  signs  which  were  perfectly  Intelligible, 
consisting  in    >culiar  ways  of  puffing  out  cigar  smoke. 


-SSIBlft 


-»W3is"?gaa'A't9»y-jj,wm,iw...'j'^ 


424 


WANDEUIN08  OF  A  VAOABOXD. 


The  early  sharpers  depouded  on  flecciug  their  adversaries  at 
poker,  biiig,  euchre,  and  all-foura,  atid  similar  games,  while 
eii{,M)-od  with  them  at  play,  by  "  holding  out"  oue  or  nore  carda 
OH  them.  These  would  bo  hidden  in  their  laps  or  behind  the 
neck,  and  somctimca  in  the  joint  of  the  knees,  and  "  rung  In" 
wherever  a  favoral)le  opportunity  occurred  for  doing  so.  These 
methods  of  cheating,  as  well  as  "  iteming"  hauds,  are  time- 
honored  Institutions  among  the  sharper  tribe,  and  were  probably 
practiced  by  their  European  l)rethroa  a  century  before  the  pad- 
dle of  a  steamboat  made  Its  first  revolution  in  the  turbid  waters 
of  the  Mississippi. 

Playing  marked  cards  was  a  specialty  with  a  few  sharpers. 
They  marked  their  own  cards  on  the  backs,  nearly  every  sharper 
having  his  own  secret  cipher  for  doing  so.  While  playing  with 
a  single  adversary,  marked  cards  could  be  used  most  advan- 
tageously; the  more  persons  engaged  with  them  in  a  game  of 
brag  or  poker,  the  more  difficult  was  their  labor  and  the  more 
they  had  to  contend  with.  In  a  card  party  consisting  of  four  or 
five  players,  the  marked-card  player  can  only  manage  to  read 
the  cards  of  oue  of  his  adversaries  hands.  I  have  heard  that 
some  of  them  could  keep  the  run  of  two  hands  at  once  with  per- 
fect case,  but  having  never  known  of  such  an  Instance,  I  beg 
leave  to  doubt  the  assertion. 

There  are  plenty  of  stamped-card  players  who  can  keep  the 
run  of  two  hands  correctly  in  a  game  of  poker  where  four  or 
more  persons  are  engaged,  but  it  seems  to  me  beyond  the  range 
of  probability  for  any  oue  to  accomplish  the  same  feat  with  what 
is  known  in  sharper's  parlance  as  "scratched  paper."  The 
marked-card  player  could  accomplish  nothing  on  a  steamer,  ex- 
cept by  the  connivance  of  the  bar-tender,  to  whom  he  was 
obliged  to  give  a  certain  share  In  his  profits  as  the  price  of  his 
assistance  and  silence,  and  for  ringing  In  his  cards  upon  whatever 
party  upon  whom  they  thought  they  could  be  made  profitable. 
These  worthies  seldom  wasted  their  talents  an(-.  their  scratched 
paper"  on  any  except  those  who  were  likely  to  reward  them 
handsomely  for  their  time  and  trouble. 

The  "tricky  tribe,"  while  playing  all-fours,  ecarte,  eucure,  etc., 
with  verdant  adversaries  too  far  advanced  to  stand  a  hM- 
Btock,"  or  the  "palm,"  would  resort  to  marking  the  most  ad- 
vantageous cards  with  the  thumb-nail  by  scratching  them  on 


eir  adversaries  at 
liar  games,  while 
one  or  nore  cards 
laps  or  behind  the 
s,  and  "rung  In" 
r  doing  so.    These 

hauds,  are  time- 
and  were  probably 
py  before  the  pad- 

the  turbid  waters 

h  a  few  sharpers. 
Barly  every  sharper 
(^hile  playing  with 
used  most  advan- 
them  in  a  game  of 
ibor  and  the  more 
insisting  of  four  or 
iy  manage  to  read 
I  have  heard  that 
s  at  once  with  per- 
an  instance,  I  beg 

who  can  keep  the 
)ker  where  four  or 
e  beyond  the  range 
lame  feat  with  what 
ched  paper."  The 
5  on  a  steamer,  ex- 
,  to  whom  he  was 
,  as  the  price  af  his 
lards  upon  whatever 
le  made  profitable. 
i(.  their  "  scratched 
sly  to  reward  them 

ecarte,  euchre,  etc., 
I  to  stand  a  "half- 
rking  the  most  ad- 
scratching  them  on 


BIVER  SUARI-KRS.  48| 

their  odges,  generally  on  their  sides  near  the  comers.  Some- 
times th  'y  would  "  blaze  "  with  their  flngor-uails,  or  otherwise 
mark  the  tces  and  kings  on  their  backs,  In  order  to  know  them 
at  poker,  Oi  the  braggers  and  aces  at  brag;  at  the  latter  game 
the  advantage  >  as  very  considerable,  while  with  the  former  it 
amountoti  to  llttU  T'.'o  marking  of  certain  cards  in  a  pack, 
while  engaged  at  u  game,  is  not  only  a  tedious  operation,  but 
decidedly  a  dangerom  undertaking  if  not  skillfully  done.  Per- 
sons with  whom  such  tricks  are  generally  tried  on  are  those 
wLjso  suspicions  have  been  aroused;  and  parties  of  this  kind  are 
hard  to  cheat,  or  rather  ai  a  on  the  alert  to  prevent  any  frauds 
from  being  practiced  upon  them.  None  of  the  tribe  that  I  ever 
heard  of  ever  succeeded  in  gaining  any  prominence  among  the 
members  of  their  own  profession  for  successfully  marking  cards 
while  playing,  and  making  them  tell  advantageously  at  a  game. 
Les  clwvaliers  dHnduatrie  of  Europe  are  far  aheod  of  our  own 
in  this  art.  Many  of  them,  while  playing  at  whist,  ecarte, 
cribbage,  and  similar  games,  mark  with  their  thumb-nails  in  an 
incredibly  short  space  of  time  all  the  important  cards  in  the 
pack,  and  play  them  equally  as  well  as  the  best  stampod-card 
player.  In  the  year  1860  I  met  onejof  these  gentlemen  in  Paris, 
a  Frenchman  by  birth,  of  the  most  suave  and  agreeable  manners 
and  gentlemanly  deportment.  I  had  the  honor  of  making  his 
acquaintance,  and  one  evening,  while  seated  in  my  room  discuss- 
ing with  me  the  various  fine  arts  as  practiced  at  cards,  he  offer- 
ed to  bet  me  a  napoleon  that  while  wo  were  playing  four  games 
of  ecarte,  he  would  mark  twelve  cards  in  the  pack.  At  any 
time  during  the  playing  of  the  four  games,  if  I  could  detect  him 
marking  a  single  card  by  showing  the  spot  on  which  It  was 
marked,  I  won  the  wager;  or  If,  when  the  four  games  were  finish- 
ed, and  I  had  shuflaed  the  pack  to  my  satisfaction,  he  could 
not  then  take  up  the  pack,  and  running  the  cards  off  its  back 
one  at  a  time  and  turning  them  over  on  the  table,  face  up,  as  he 
came  to  it,  any  card  which  he  had  marked,  naming  its  suit  and 
size  before  doing  so,  or  If  he  made  a  single  mistake,  he  lost.  I 
accepted  his  wager,  and  we  played  the  four  games  of  carte 
without  my  being  able  to  detect  him  marking  a  single  card. 
When  we  had  finished  the  games  I  shuffled  the  pack  and  hand- 
ed It  to  him;  he  turned  over  fourteen  cards  as  he  came  to  them, 
naming  their  suit  and  size  as  he  did  so  without  a  single  'aalt. 


\\ 


i 


ssssssBS^sasst-jsswwa 


"w-«*Ers5ra!5»-' 


wAKDKsnros  or  ▲  vagabond. 


While  we  were  playing  our  games,  he  h'A  bandied  his  cards 
rather  awliwardly  for  an  adopt,  but  thero  was  nothing  in  his  ac- 
tions that  would  in  tlio  ItiOHt  urouso  Huspiciou,  and  it  was  only 
when  I  held  the  cards  which  ho  had  marked,  up  to  the  light,  and 
let  its  glare  full  directly  u()on  tlio  marks,  which  w  ero  dono  near 
the  corner  by  a  fine  blazo  Ihiit  was  niudo  by  the  thumb-nail,  and 
in  various  ci[)hors,  that  I  wiis  able  to  detect  the  fi'aud. 

Who  was  the  inventor  of  stamped  cards  I  am  unable  to  say, 
but  that  they  originated  in  this  country  is  nearly  unquestionable. 
No  mention  is  made  of  thorn  in  any  of  the  gambling  works  pub- 
lished in  Europe ;  nor  among  the  multitude  of  tricks  which  liaTO 
l)ccn  exposed,  both  by  writers  on  the  subject  and  those  that  liaro 
boon  at  various  times  ventilated  before  tribunals  of  Justice,  have 
I  ever  seen  or  hoard  of  any  mention  being  made  of  stamped 
cards.  Even  at  the  present  day,  European  sharpers  know  but 
little  about  them,  when  they  might  bo  so  serviceably  used  at 
the  various  short-card  games  played  in  those  countries. 

Unlike  our  own  free  and  enlightened  country,  the  despotic 
laws  of  Europe  will  not  permit  card  manufacturers  to  fabricate 
unfair  cards  and  flood  the  continent  with  their  printed  circulars 
informing  whom  it  may  concern  that  they  are  ready  to  supply 
all  varieties  of  stamped  cards  of  different  ciphors,  diagrams,  and 
patterns.  The-  European  manufacturer  who  ventured  to  commit 
so  flagrant  and  public  a  breach  of  honesty  would  uot  only  And 
his  business  broken  uPi  but  himself  incarcerated  in  a  prison.  In 
this  country  we  have  plenty  of  manufacturers  of  stamped  cards, 
who  send  out  their  circulars  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  accom- 
panied by  diagrams  of  the  difiiereut  patterns  of  cards,  and  the 
various  ciphers  used  upon  them.  A  Mr.  Bartlett,  of  the  city  of 
New  Tork,  has  been  engaged  in  this  business  about  forty  years, 
and  no  law  in  the  smallest  degree  molests  or  restrains  him. 
How  would  the  commercial  public  take  it,  shoull  some  engraver 
advertise  that  he  was  ready  to  supply  counterfeiters  with  plates 
on  the  different  banks  throughout  the  country. 

Stamped  cards  were  unknown  in  Mexcio  previous  to  our  in- 
vasion of  that  country,  nor  were  they  known  to  the  people  of 
South  America,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  and  I 
took  great  pains  to  do  so,  and  had  many  favorable  opportuuities 
during  more  than  a  year  spent  in  rambling  through  Peru,  Ecua- 
dor, and  Chili,  besides  having  made  in  California,  in  the  early 


handled  bis  cards 
s  nothing  in  his  oo- 
uu,  and  it  wom  only 
up  to  tho  light,  and 
lich  \^  ero  dono  near 
;lio  thumb-nuil,  and 
ho  fi-aud. 

I  am  unablo  to  say, 
irly  unquoBtionable. 
mbling  workn  pub- 
f  tricks  which  have 
and  those  that  have 
alB  of  Justice,  have 
;  made  of  stamped 
sharpers  know  but 
lerviceably  used  at 
countries. 

uitry,  tho  despotic 
;turer8  to  fabricate 
ir  printed  circulars 
re  ready  to  supply 
liors,  diagrams,  and 
ventured  to  commit 
vould  not  only  find 
ted  in  a  prison.  In 
s  of  stamped  cards, 
he  country,  accom- 
s  of  cards,  and  the 
rtlett,  of  the  city  of 
i  about  forty  years, 
}  or  restrains  him. 
ouM  some  engraver 
irfeiters  with  plates 

y. 

previous  to  bur  In- 
rn  to  tho  people  of 
to  ascertain,  and  I 
arable  opportunities 
trough  Peru,  Ecna- 
fornia,  in  the  early 


RIVEB  SIIARreBS.  ^ 

days  of  gold,  tho  acquaintance  of  gamblers  from  nearly  everv 
country  of  South  America.  Not  one  of  these  have  f  I-^cr  ye^ 
met  who  had  any  idea  of  stamped  cards,  beyond  what  they  h^ 
earned  u  California.  This  «on-ma„ufacturo  mnong  the  S,m.S 
ocers  of  thi«  hemisphere  convinces  mo  that  they  wore  uuknow 

nto  tLh^IloS  TT''  ''''''  """'^  '""■"  introduced  then 
In  Lnv  I  '  ^""^ '°  °"  «'»'°«''  "^u'd  they  have  been  mado 

so  heavily  advantageous  and  profitable  to  the  sharper,  as  in  "ho 

and  tho  bankmg  game  of  monte. 

knew  nothhf.  t^'l'T  '"".'^"'^  '^'^'  """"^"-y'  "'«  "'"'"'«"'' 
knew  nothing  about  stamped  cards.    When  the  Citv  of  Mexico 

inrthn    mn  ^'^  ""''l '''''  ""^'  ^y  '»"y  ™«»««'  i"  P^^rceiv- 

^g  the  inimonso  advantagb  to  bo  gained  from  stamped  cards 

mont/rV"  ""  T"^^^'"'^'^™;  but  where  were  they  rget  the 

Zt  lirh^\rr'r'r^.  '•"■  ^'^'^  P"'-P«««»  S»™«  «f  the  bril! 
lant  lights  of  the  fraternity  started  for  Now  York,  laid  their 
d.lemma  before  Bartlett,  and  in  a  few  months  .ue  line  o  travel 
from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  city  of  Mexico  wa^  flooded  with  American 
manufactured  monte  cards,  all  stamped.  This  ,  ompt,  however 
proved  a  failure,  for  neither  American  nor  Mexican  gambS 
r  n.^^  T''  ""'  ^'•""^•^  '""'=''  ""''^  thanany  befi.reman 
in  the  nt  Jm  f '''^n?'^'''^''"'  ''"'"P''^'-''^  ^^'th  those  made 
mnnn.  ^  f '''•  ^^^  ^"^'''''»  govpijiment  had  sold  tho 
SlT^nfn  B  .'1"'""^'*''"""«^  to  certain  individuals  in  each 
State  in  the  ftepublio,  and  a  single  company  in  the  City  of  Mexico 
possessed  the  whole  right  of  doing  so  in  that  State,  and  their 
cards  were  in  use  by  all  tho  gamblers  on  Taylor's  and  Scott's  line 

whiT ?  rK^?"^°"*  ™'°"'"*'*  ^^«  ""^  '•'ft  to  tbe  sharpers, 
which  wa«  to  bribe  the  owners  of  this  establishment.  They  sue ' 
ceeded  hi  doing  so,  by  paying  the  manufacturers  five  thousand 
dollars  for  one  hundred  gross  of  cards,  of  patterns  shnilar  to  the 
XTn'^'S  '\'''''  stipulating  for  an  equal  amomit  of  each 
pattern.    The  sharpers  wore  to  furnish  the  necessary  plates, 

bro^l//^  \T  "'"^''.^  '"  ^'-^"^  "^^^  »"  New  York"^  and 
brought  from  thence  to  the  manufacturers  in  the  City  of  Mexico, 
rhis  statement  I  give  in  substance  just  as  I  received  it  from 

no"  ^^1^  w.r''*''^  "•"°'^''  "^  the  fraternity,  now  dead,  by 
name  Mr.  WiUiam  Clemmens,  who  was  one  of  the  committee  of 


-tl"    ■U.J't.n'JBIljil 


;:;!? ' 


WANCEBINQS  OF  A  VAGABOITD. 

sharpers  who  negotiated  for  the  manufacture  of  the  stamped 
cards.  But  unfortunately  for  the  enterprising  movers  of  this 
scheme,  so  much  time  was  consumed  in  getting  the  cards  ready, 
that  about  the  period  that  their  speculation  was  ripe,  peace 
was  suddenly  declared,  aud  the  Americau  troopa  evacuated  the 

country. 

But  following  close  on  the  heels  of  the  war  came  the  discovery 
of  the  golden  fields  of  California,  and  in  the  early  days  of  that 
excitement  monte  was  the  only  banking  game  patronized  by  the 
shoals  who  flocked  from  all  parts  of  the  world  to  the  golden 
State.  These  cards  npw  came  into  good  play,  and  during  the 
summer  of  1849  were  extensively  used,  many  of  the  sharpers 
having  made  fortunes  by  them. 

In  the  following  winter  they  returned  to  the  City  of  Mexico, 
and  caused  two  hundred  gross  mor*?  to  be  made,  and  brought 
them  ba^k  with  them  to  California.  But  in  some  manner  sus- 
picion WR3  raised  agaiust  these  cards,  which  finally  led  to  their 
detection.  And  no  sooner  did  it  become  a  fixed  fact  that  one 
pattern  of  these  cards  was  stamped,  and  therefore  dishonest, 
than  all  the  cards  manufactured  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico  were 
entirely  discarded  and  repudiated,  and  those  manufactured  in 
Barcelona,  Spain, were  used  instead.  Thesa  cards  have  n  ^er 
been  tampered  with,  and  retain  their  popularity  to  the  present 

day.  ■    .  XI. 

Stamped  cards  first  appeared  in  this  country  between  the 
years  1834  and  1835.  When  first  discovered  the  secret  was  so 
precious  as  to  be  carefully  guarded  and  monopolized  by  a  few 
sharpers.  As  is  usual  with  all  new  inventions  of  the  kind,  gam- 
blers first  fell  victims  to  them,  and  continued  to  be  so  for  many 
years.  At  first  they  were  manufactured,  like  counterfeit  mono/, 
with  great  secrecy,  in  unlikely  places ;  but  when,  they  became 
more  fully  known,  Bartlett,  of  New  York,  and  many  others,  found 
in  their  manufacture  a  profitable  business. 

In  1837  a  man  known  by  the  name  of  Doctor  Cross  commenc- 
ed the  manufacturing  of  stamped  cards  in  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans, and  continued  it  up  to  as  late  rs  1854,  and  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  he  was  the  first  who  carried  on  the  business  in 
this  country.  He  procured  his  cards  in  an  unfinished  state  from 
the  New  York  manufacturers,  and  stamped  them  with  plates  of 
his  own  invention,  or  said  to  be  such,  at  least.    It  was  after  his 


BOND. 

iture  of  the  stamped 
lisiug  movers  of  this 
tting  the  carua  ready, 
tion  was  ripe,  peace 
troops  evacuated  the 

ar  came  the  discovery 
he  early  days  of  that 
,me  patronized  by  the 
world  to  the  golden 
play,  and  during  the 
aany  of  the  sharpers 

o  the  City  of  Mexico, 
e  made,  and  brought 

in  some  manner  sus- 
ch  finally  led  to  their 

a  fixed  fact  that  one 
d  therefore  dishonest, 
public  of  Mexico  were 
hose  manufactured  in 
lesa  cards  have  n  \"er 
lularity  to  the  present 

country  between  the 
jred  the  secret  was  so 
monopolized  by  a  few 
tions  of  the  kind,  gam- 
nued  to  be  so  for  many 
like  counterfeit  money, 
)ut  when,  they  became 
and  many  others,  found 
I. 

doctor  Cross  commenc- 
in  the  city  of  New  Or- 
54,  and  it  is  more  than 
■led  on  the  business  in 
,n  unfinished  state  from 
»ed  them  with  plates  of 

least.    It  was  after  his 


KIYER  SHASFEBS. 


429 


manufactory  became  perfectly  well  knovra  that  his  cards  were 
introdnccd  on  steamers,  and  rung  in  on  the  passengers  by  the 
bar-keepers,  who  "  stood  in  "  for  a  share  of  the  plunder  thus  ob- 
tained by  the  sharpers  for  whom  they  operated. 

At  the  present  time  none  but  the  most  verdant  will  stand 
"  bottom-dealing ;"  but,  like  all  new  frauds,  it  had  its  day,  with 
many  kindred  devices  for  robbing  the  unsuspecting.  From  1834 
to  1840  many  gamblers  who  considered  themselves  *'par  excel' 
teMcc"in  their  profession,  have  stood  it  nobly  while  imagining 
themselves,  no  doubt,  the  victims  of  very  bad  luck.  Almost  any 
person,  with  a  little  practice,  can  deal  from  the  bottom ;  but  to 
perform  the  feat  while  several  pairs  of  keen  eyes  are  concentra- 
ting their  gaze  on  your  fingers  and  the  pack  held  by  them,  with- 
out being  detected,  requires  an  amount  of  coolness  and  nerve,  not 
to  mention  practice,  which  is  possessed  perhaps  by  not  one  man 
in  a  million.  Thirty  years  ago  a  No.  1  bottom-dealer  was  a  king 
among  sharpers.  He  was  dependent  on  no  outside  assistance 
for  fleecing  his  victims,  and  if  he  had  a  partner,  it  was  only  for 
the  purpose  of  skinning  his  dupe  more  expeditiously,  by  dealing 
him  a  large  hand  from  the  bottom,  while  his  partner  would  raise 
from  his  lap  or  from  the  joints  of  his  knee  oue  yet  larger,  with 
which  to  beat  it. 

It  is  said  that  bottom-dealing;  was  first  brought  to  perfection 
by  a  man  named  Wilson.  This  desirable  consummation  waa 
reached  in  1834,  and  about  this  time  first  made  its  appearance 
on  the  western  rivers,  where  it  was  rendered,  in  the  course  of  a 
few  years,  entirely  useless,  through  the  blunders  of  bungling  op- 
erators, and  the  verdant  learned  to  protect  themselves  against 
the  fraud. 

Means  swifter  and  more  sure  were  gradually  brought  into  re- 
quisition, for  robbing  the  votaries  of  chance  of  their  money.  It 
is  a  strong  advantage  undoubtedly  to  know  the  strength  of  your 
adversary's  hand  at  poker;  but  the  work  was  too  tedious  for 
your  fast  sharper.  Luck  would  sometimes  protect  a  "sucker" 
against  "  iteming,"  stamped  cards,  and  bottom-dealing.  In  the 
good  old  times,  before  draw-poker  became  fashionable,  straight 
poker  was  the  favorite  brag  game.  At  this  game  the  cards 
were  dealt  by  the  winner  of  the  pool,  who  could,  of  course,  keep 
on  dealing  as  often  as  he  could  win.  This  rule  enabled  the 
bottom -dealer  to  help  himself  to  good  cards  as  often  as  he  dealt; 


WANDKRINQS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


but  he  might  vrin  twenty  pools  in  succession  without  secu  Ing 
scarcely  any  money,  should  his  adversaries  hold  poor  hands,  and 
in  the  meantime  one  of  them  might  get,  by  good  luck,  be  tter 
cards  than  those  he  held,  and  thus  win  A-om  him  a  large  st  ike. 
True,  if  he  had  a  partner  who  was  posted  in  the  game  he  c  )uld 
give  the  "sucker"  a  big  hand  from  the  bottom,  while  his  partner 
raised  from  his  lap  a  bigger  one  to  beat  it  with,  but  it  was  ra  ther 
dangerous  to  attempt  such  a  thing  too  often,  and  the  leat't  bung- 
ling was  sure  to  lead  to  detection. 

Young  men  perfected  themselves  in  the  science  of  false  cii  ting 
and  shuffling  "  running-up  "  hands,  "palming  out  "cards,  and 
"ringing  them  in,"  ringing  in  cold  packs,  double  disi,arding,  etc., 
etc.  These  ambitious  tyros  were  taken  under  the  fosturing 
care  of  some  patriarch  of  the  sharper  tribe,  who  assisted  the  m  in 
getting  up  their  games  and  furnished  them  with  money  vben 
that  article  was  needed,  which,  with  this  kind  of  sharpen  ,  was 
generally  the  case,  when  a  trip  on  the  rivor  was  in  prospec :. 

The  popular  game  of  draw-poker,  which  has  entirely  super- 
seded straight  poker  and  brag,  was  the  invention  of  river  sharp- 
ers, and  was  first  put  in  practice  on  the  Mississippi  steamboats. 
This  game  ofifers  to  the  manipulator  a  hundred-fold  l)et:er  facili- 
ties for  fleecing  the  unwary  than  either  of  the  old  games.  The 
skillful  operator  can  give  his  victim,  with  perfect  ease,  as  many 
big  hands  as  he  chooses,  and  at  the  sa,me  time  arm  himself  orhis 
partner  with  better  ones  to  beat  them.  But  a  shrewd  swindler 
seldom  gives  a  sucker  more  than  an  ace-full.  He  first  tempts 
his  appetite  with  two  large  pairs ;  then  threes  of  various  kinds ; 
after  these  are  expended,  he  hoists  him  up  a  flush  or  a  full  hand 
of  a  small  denomination,  and  gradually  increases  them  in  size 
till  he  beats  an  ace-full  for  him ;  beyond  this  he  is  not  likely  to 
go.  Whenever  they  find  customers  who  will  not  stand  running 
up  hands,  false  shuffling  and  cutting,  double  discarding  is 
practiced  upon  them ;  an  advantage  peculiar  to  draw-poker,  and 
not  applicable  to  any  other  game.  Scores  of  those  who  have 
grown  gray  in  the  service  of  the  fickle  goddess,  and  who  were 
the  most  wary  among  her  votaries,  have  come  to  grief  through 
the  following  artful  piece  of  chicanery:  Two  partners  being 
seated  next  each  other,  one  attends  to  the  betting  department, 
while  the  latter  manipulates  the  cards.  He  goes  out  with  three 
aoes,  we  will  say  for  example,  which  he  conceals  in  the  joint  of 


tn  without  secu  Ing 
old  poor  hands,  and 
y  good  luck,  be  tter 
.  him  a  large  st  ike. 
the  game  he  ould 
n,  while  his  partiuer 
;h,  but  it  was  ra  ther 
and  the  leat't  b^  mg- 

once  of  false  cii  ting 
ng  out "  cards,  and 
ble  disi,arding,  etc., 
inder  the  fostoring 
ho  assisted  the  m  in 
a  with  money  vhen 
nd  of  sharper! ,  was 
flras  in  prospec .. 
has  entirely  super- 
Qtion  of  river  sharp- 
sissippi  steamboats. 
ed-fo!d  bet;^erfacili- 
le  old  games.  The 
irfect  ease,  as  many 
16  arm  himself  or  his 

a  shrewd  swindler 
1.  He  first  tempts 
3S  of  various  kinds ; 
flush  or  a  full  band 
Teases  them  in  size 
Is  he  is  not  likely  to 

not  stand  running 
tuble  discarding  is 
:  to  draw -poker,  and 
I  of  those  who  have 
Idess,  and  who  were 
me  to  grief  through 
'wo  partners  being 
jetting  department, 
goes  out  with  three 
ceals  in  the  joint  of 


KIVBR  SHABPEKS. 


431 


his  knee  until  it  comes  his  turu  to  deal.  The  cards  having  been 
dealt,  he  is  ready  to  help  the  discarded  hand.-;,  and  he  now  con- 
veys from  their  hidiuj  place  the  stolen  cards,  iu  the  palm  of  his 
hand,  aud  places  them  upon  the  top  of  the  pack  while  in  the  act 
of  lifting  it  from  the  table.  Those  cards  are  now  drawn  by  his 
partner,  who  is  informed,  by  a  secret "  item,''  of  their  denomina- 
tion, and  discards  his  hand  accordmgly  for  their  reception.  As 
he  has  the  first  "  say  "  or  "  age,"  and  the  other  players  may  per- 
haps not  chip  iu  for  the  pool,  it  is  not  uecessaiy  to  bring  out  the 
hidden  cards ;  that  is,  if  any  of  the  players  chip  in,  then  he  tries, 
by  making  a  large  brag,  to  run  them  out ;  but  should  any  of  them 
prove  obstinate  aud  stand  the  raise,  then  the  three  aces  are 
brought  into  action.  The  persons  who  can  perform  this  trick 
well  are  by  no  means  numerous. 

The  rough  handling  frequently  rer<}ived  by  sharpers,  at  the 
hands  of  their  victims,  during  their  various  pilgrimages  up  and 
down  the  river,  finally  caused  them  to  be  a  little  more  wary,  and 
It  was  only  when  the  steamer  was  about  to  make  a  wood-pile  or 
some  port  that  they  would  venture  to  put  the  fluishing-stroko  to 
their  nefarious  work,  by  dealing  a  big  hand  to  their  victim  and 
then  beating  it  for  him. 

When  they  had  accomplished  this  *hey  would  leave  the  boat 
as  quickly  as  convenient,  and  get  upon  the  next  steamer  which 
stopped  at  their  place  of  sojourn,  whether  going  up  or  down 
mattered  very  httle  to  them;  and  having  leeched  what  "suck- 
ers" they  found  on  her,  abandoned  her,  in  turn,  for  ano,uer 
which  offered  them  subjects  for  plunder. 

The  gambling  talents  of  short-card  sharpers  rest  exclusi  rely 
in  their  fingers;  scarcely  one  of  them  being  capable  of  pla»'ing 
any  square  game  with  even  ordinary  ability;  and  the  non-pro- 
fessionals in  the  country,  who  are  greatly  their  superiors  in  all 
short-card  games  played  on  the  square,  may  be  numbered  by 
tiiousands.  It  is  in  fact  a  rare  thing  to  find  a  short-card  sharp 
who  has  sufficient  confidence  to  risk  his  money  on  the  square  at 
anything  except  bucking  the  tiger,  which  ravenous  animal  swal- 
lows up  most  of  their  ill-gotten  plunder.  When  square  faro,  a 
two-card  box,  women,  or  kindred  articles  of  commerce  have  de- 
pleted their  pockets  of  their  stolen  funds,  they  are  ready  for 
another  trip  on  the  river,  and  probably  are  obliged  to  fall  back 
on  the  paternal  sharper,  who  fattens  on  their  skill  and  industry 
in  their  nefarious  business,  for  the  "sinews  of  war." 


i 


490 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


i 


I 


Tbcso  thieves  became  so  foriuidublo  iu  their  numbers,  and  so 
bold  iu  their  depredatious,  as  to  drive  almost  everything  iu  the 
shape  of  square  gambling  from  the  river  j  aud  it  was  ouly  when 
a  party  of  acquaintances  sat  down  to  the  ctird-tablc,  to  play 
among  themselves,  that  anything  like  a  square  game  couM  bo 
seen  on  a  steamer.    As  they  were  all  called  professional  gamb- 
lers, the  honest  aud  straightforward  of  that  community  had  to 
father  their  crimes  and  share  their  odium.     Their  rascalities 
even,  bad  as  they  were,  were  made  the  themes  of  marvelous  ro- 
mantic stories  by  the  penny-a-liners  and  story-tellers  of  every 
description.    Then  the  wonderful  yarns  that  have  been  r'-culat- 
ed  from  time  to  time  by  the  lovers  of  the  marvelous,  relating  to 
the  outwitting  of  gamblers  at  their  own  games  by  determined 
heroes,  who  have  forced  them  to  disgorge  their  ill-gotten  plun- 
der and  make  restitution  to  every  one  whom  they  had  duped,  and 
many  more  tales,  all  equally  improbable  and  without  foundation, 
is  all  clap-trap.    Sharpers  are  birds  of  prey,  and  cannot  be  out- 
witted in  faeir  line  of  business.    They  practice  their  arts  on  none 
bat  those  whom  they  know  will  stand  them,  and  can  discern  at 
a  single  glance  whether  the  person  seated  before  them  can  be 
cheated  at  piay  or  otherwise.  Should  they  chance  on  a  tough  cus- 
tomer, they  drop  him  immediately,  aud  seek  others  more  suita- 
ble to  their  purpose.  ,  ^  ,  ,     , 

About  thirty  years  ago  the  following  story  circulated  freely 
through  the  public  press  of  this  country.  I  have  chosen  it  out 
of  many  of  the  same  kind  of  delicious  morsels  which  the  news- 
papers have,  for  forty  years,  delighted  to  dish  up  to  their  readers, 
and  with  which  marvelous  story-tellers  have  amused  their 
hearers.  The  talc,  on  its  own  merits,  will  compare  most 
favorably  with  those  of  that  wonderful  hero.  Baron  Munchausen. 
"  The  news  having  reached  the  ears  of  a  party  of  gamblers 
that  a  New  Orleans  bank  was  about  to  send  to  Vicksburg  an  agent 
having  in  his  possession  $95,000  to  discharge  a  claim  in  that 
city,  they  followed  him  on  board  the  Now  Orleans  and  Vicks- 
burg packet  with  the  intention  of  robbing  him.  During  the 
trip  he  was  induced  by  them  to  take  part  in  a  game  of  poker, 
and  furnished  with  a  large  betting  hand;  but  they  did  not  omit, 
at  the  same  time,  to  generously  give  a  member  of  their  own 
gang  one  with  which  to  beat  it.  Several  small  brags  were 
made  by  the  contestants  for  the  ^  ool,  when  the  agent  went  $250 


EIVEIl  SUAnPKRS. 


488 


r  numbers,  and  so 
evcrytliiug  in  the 
I  it  was  only  when 
»r<i-tablc,  to  play 
are  game  coii!<l  bo 
in-ofessional  gamb- 
commuuity  bad  to 
Their  rascabties 
33  of  marvelous  ro- 
ury-tellers  of  every 
have  beenr'"culat- 
:vclous,  relating  to 
mes  by  determined 
eir  ill-gotten  plun- 
hey  had  duped,  and 
without  foundation, 
and  cannot  be  out- 
ee  their  arts  on  none 
and  can  discern  at 
)efore  them  can  be 
mco  on  a  tough  cus- 
others  more  suita- 

ry  circulated  freely 
;  have  chosen  it  out 
jls  which  the  news- 
up  to  their  readers, 
have  amused  their 
will  compare  most 
Baron  Munchausen. 
%  party  of  gamblers 
I  VJcksburg  an  agent 
rge  a  claim  in  that 
Orleans  and  Vicks- 
g  him.  During  the 
in  a  game  of  poker, 
it  they  did  not  omit, 
ember  of  their  own 
,1  small  brags  were 
the  agent  went  |250 


better  than  his  opponent,  which  was  all  the  money  belonging  to 
himself  which  he  bud  about  him.    This  was  seen,  and  a  brag  of 
$5,U()0  more  was  made  by  his  adversary.    The  ugeut  claimed  a 
Bight  for  his  $250,  stating  that  it  was  all  the  money  he  had  ;  but 
it  was  refused.    The  object  of  the  scoundrels  being  to  induce  him 
to  break  int..  the  package  belonging  to  the  bank,  which  they 
knew  to  be  in  his  possession,  shrewdly  thinking  if  he  once  did  so 
they  would  not  only  obtain  the  $5,000  on  the  brai?,  but  all  the 
rest  of  its  contents.    On  the  refusal  of  his  adversary  to  allow  hiai 
.1  sight,  he  had  appealed  to  the  other  members  of  the  party,  who 
decided  that  he  must  call  the  .95,000  or  forfeit  all  claiins"to  tijc 
pool.    He  again  appealed  to  his  opponent  for  a  sight,  but  was 
informed  by  that  inexorable  gentleman  tlh-xt  if  he  did  not  call 
the  $5,000  brag  within  five  minutes  he  should  take  down  the 
pool.    The  five  minutes  were  fast  ebbing  away,  amid  the  breath- 
less stillness  of  both  the  actors  in  the  game  and  the  spectatore, 
'vhen  the  agent,  as  a  '  dernier  resort,'  determined  to  save  his 
money  from  the  clutches  of  the  swindlers,  took  from  his  bosom 
the  package  belonging  to  the  bank  and  threw  it  on  the  table, 
saying,  'I'll  see  your  five  thousand  and  go  you  ninety  thousand 
better,  and  if  you  don't  call  the  bet  in  five  minutes  I  shall  take 
down  the  pool.'    The  nise  was  so  unexpected  that  it  completely 
npsct  their  calculations,  and  not  having  sufficient  nionev  to  call 
the  brag  they  were  compelled  to  forfeit  all  claims  to  the  pool, 
according  to  their  own  ruling,  and  the  agent  swept  it  into  his 
pockets,  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  bystanders." 

This  foolish  tale  was  swallowed  with  avidity  by  the  credulous, 
and  every  word  as  implicitly  believed  as  if  it  were  holy  writ,  and 
the  imaginary  bank-agent  became  a  public  hero.  No  law  ex- 
cept that  of  might  denies  to  a  player  at  a  poker-table  a  sight 
for  what  money  he  has  before  him,  and  it  is  rather  improbable 
that  a  set  of  sharpers  would  dream  of  perpetrating  such  a 
robbery  in  so  public  .a  place,  when  they  knew  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  them  to  escape  with  their  plunder.  Sharpers  are 
much  too  shrewd  for  such  bungling  work.  They  take  no 
chances  to  lose  six  or  seven  thousand  dollars,  nor  two  or  three 
hundred  dollars,  nor  even  twenty  dollars,  at  a  hand  of  cards. 
As  for  the  tales  regaiding  the  fabulous  sums  bet  at  poker-tables 
on  our  western  rivers,  they  are  all  pure  humbug.  I  have  grave 
doubts  whether  a  brag  of  two  thousand  dollars  has  ever  been 


*^J^''!«_#|»^^^jj^^i^^y■M■rif»^W<^w ~ 


484 


WAHDEBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


W51 


lost  and  won  at  a  card-table  on  the  Mississippi  River,  since  the 
Bteamer  Pennsylvania  descended  that  stream  in  1813. 

Though  railways  have  diverted  a  large  portion  of  the  travel 
from  our  western  waters,  and  consequently  thinned  out  sou)o- 
what  the  horde  of  sharpers  who  formerly  infested  the  river 
steamers,  they  are  still  numerous,  and  still  find  fools  to  prey 
upon;  for  the  crop,  unlike  more  useful  harvests,  never  fails.  ^ 
But  the  exploits  of  the  noble  army  of  "chevaliers  tPindustrie" 
are  by  no  means  confined  tc  water  navigation.    Not  at  all! 
They  are  to  be  found  in  every  city,  town,  jind  village,  where 
short-card  playing  for  gain  makes  up  a  portion  of  the  pastime 
of  the  few  or  the  many,  and  sufiQcient  money  is  hazarded  to  at- 
tract their  cupidity.    Some  are  satisfied  with  quick  gains  and 
small  profits,  while  others  of  the  class  are  willing  to  wait  months, 
in  anticipation  of  taking  in  a  big  pile.    They  can  be  found  of 
all  degrees,  from  the  lowest  and  most  vicious,  up  to  the  most 
enlightened  circles  of  card-players,  plying  their  calling,  and 
among  every  class  find  plenty  of  fools  to  batten  on.    Among 
these  short-card  sharpers  are  shrewd  and  discerning  men  of  per- 
suasive powers  and  agreeable  manners,  who,  having  finished  their 
education  on  the  river,  and  becoming  older  and  more  settled  in 
character,  they  seek  more  respectable  and  profitable  fields  for 
their  labor,  among  the  upper  classes  whose  card  circles  are  held 
in  private  club-rooms  or  apartments  in  first-class  hotels.    Into 
those  hallowed  precincts,  where  none  bearini^  the  name  of  gam- 
bler are  allowed  to  enter,  designing  men  who  are  identified  with 
mercantile  pursuits,  or  some  of  the  professions,  easily  obtain  ad- 
mittance.   Many  of  these  worthy  and  immaculate  gentlemen 
have  been  carefully  brought  up  in  the  paths  of  morality ;  some 
are  highly  cultured  and  refined;  but  in  life's  breathless  struggle 
for  possessions,  their  perceptions  of  right  and  wrong  have  be- 
come 80  distorted  that  they  look  upon  the  fleecing  of  a  verdant 
at  a  card-table  as  an  admirable  piece  of  finesse.    When  their 
own  skill  has  become  worn  out  upon  their  iinsuspecting  adver- 
saries of  the  green  table,  they  manage  to  foist  upon  them  some 
one  of  the  more  skilFal  experts  of  their  acquaintance;  perhaps 
under  some  military  title,  or  perhaps  will  tack  to  their  names 
the  handle  of  Professor,  Doctor,  or  Honorable.    These  latter, 
having  once  obtained  a  foothold  in  the  ranks  of  respectability, 
endeavor  to  sustain  it  by  every  means  in  their  power,  and  are 


w. 

pi  River,  since  the 
in  1813. 

rtiou  of  tho  travel 
tbiuned  out  8ou)o- 
iufested  the  river 
And  fools  to  prey 
•vests,  never  fails. 
taliers  d'indiistrie" ' 
tion.    Not  at  all! 
^ud  village,  wliero 
ion  of  the  pastime 
is  hazarded  to  at- 
h  quick  gains  and 
ing  to  wait  months, 
jy  can  be  found  of 
as,  up  to  the  most 
their  calling,  and 
atten  on.    Among 
erning  men  of  per- 
aviug  finished  their 
nd  more  settled  in 
profitable  fields  for 
ird  circles  are  held 
-class  hotels.    Into 
;  the  name  of  gam- 
I  are  identified  with 
s,  easily  obtain  ad- 
laculate  gentlemen 
i  of  morality ;  some 
breathless  struggle 
nd  wrong  have  be- 
secing  of  a  verdant 
oesse.    When  their 
nsuspecting  adver- 
ist  upon  them  some 
uaintance;  perhaps 
ack  to  their  names 
ible.    These  latter, 
cs  of  respectability, 
leir  power,  and  are 


THBKE-CARD  MON'l'K  THROWERS. 


435 


most  careful  to  commit  no  act  which  might  draw  upo^  them  the 
slightest  subpiciou.  Being  unable,  from  their  very  composition 
to  support  tho  pangs  of  a  losing,  one  of  them  is  seldom  seei'i 
within  tho  doors  of  a  gambling-houae,  nor  under  any  circum- 
stances would  they  countenance  a  proiossional  gambler,  or 
speak  to  him  on  the  street,  and  never  ftiil  to  warn  their 
verdant  gulls  against  the  association  of  such  disreputable  char- 
acters. 

The  question  will  naturally  arise.  Is  there  any  cure  for  this 
crying  evIK  My  answer  is  emphatically,  Tes .'  Make  cheating,' 
at  the  card-table  a  felony,  punishable  by  the  laws  of  the  laud, 
and  card-shaipers  and  their  insidious  accomplices  will  disap- 
pear like  hoar-frost  before  the  morning  sun.  So  long  as  the 
legislatures  refuse  to  make  stViugont  laws  for  shielding  ver- 
dant card-players,  so  long  will  they  be  the  legitimate  prey  of 
shai'pers. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

THREE-CARD  MONTE  THROWERS 

Are  the  worst  Pariahs  who  prey  upon  society  under  the  cloak  of 
gambling.  During  the  last  five  and  twenty  years  they  have  in- 
fested our  steamers  and  railways,  and  every  place  of  public 
gathering,  for  the  purpose  of  practicing  their  arts  upon  the  un- 
suspecting and  the  unwary.  These  pests  outnumber  the  short- 
card  sharpers  on  our  western  waters  four  to  one.  The  latter 
claim  with  the  former  no  affinity,  and  say  they  have  destroyed 
all  short-card  playing  on  the  rivers  by  their  three-card  opera- 
tions. Socially,  they  look  down  upon  them  much  as  a  first-class 
burglar  might  look  down  on  some  petty  thief,  at  the  same  time 
claiming  that  their  own  vocation  is  legitimate,  and  based  upon 
the  true  principles  of  science.  For  the  life  of  me  I  cannot  see 
where  this  nice  discrimination  comes  in.  To  attain  pre-eminence 
as  a  three-card  thrower,  seems  to  me  as  difficult  as  to  become  a 
first-class  short-card  sharp,  and  about  equally  meritorious.  In 
order  to  attain  pre-eminence  in  either  of  these  roles,  one  must 
possess  a  self-possession  nothing  can  shake,  nerves  of  iron,  dex;- 


436 


WANDEIUXU8  OF  A   VAGABOND. 


terity  of  hand,  quickness  of  perception,  and  cool  Judgment; 
Bhould  ho  lack  a  single  one  of  these  qualities,  he  woil'l  be  a 
bungler,  and  entirely  unlit  for  his  calling.  Viewing  both  these 
professions  in  a  moral  light,  they  stand  on  about  he  same  foot- 
ing, and  we  must  conclude  that  both  are  legitimate  in  the  eyes 
of  the  law,  since  none  of  our  legislatures  have  made  any  eflbrts 
towards  their  suppression  or  punishment. 

At  what  period  wo  were  first  blessed  with  this  ingenious  little 
game  with  three  cards,  I  am  utterly  unable  to  say ;  but  that  we 
are  indebted  for  the  boon  to  Mexico,  on  whose  soil  It  first  orig- 
inated, is  unquestionable.  At  the  time  we  invaded  that  country, 
it  burst  the  narrow  limits  formerly  confining  it,  and  went  on 
"conquering  and  to  conquer,"  until  it  is  now  probably  known  to 
the  entire  English-speaking  population  of  the  globe.  It  made 
its  appearance  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans  as  early  as  1^*37,  —  ' 
at  once  became  popular  with  the  sharpers  as  an  ingenious  do- 
vice  for  ridding  the  verdant  of  their  superfluous  cash.  In  tho 
above-named  year  we  find  that  ono  Phillips  was  in  that  city 
convicted  and  sentenced  two  years  in  the  penitentiary  for  re- 
lieving a  man  of  $700  at  the  three-card  game.  Tho  ofiense  was 
pressed  under  tho  head  of  larceny,  and  from  tho  time  of  that 
conviction,  three-card  throwers  did  not  show  up  in  Louisiana,  or 
in  fact  in  any  other  State  in  the  Union,  until  about  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Mexican  war. 

Amongst  all  the  followers  of  Taylor's  and  Scott's  armies,  not  a 
single  three-card  thrower  could  be  found;  but  numbers  of  the 
Mexican  tribe,  following  that  ingenious  calling,  gradually  found 
their  way  among  the  troops,  where  they  plied  their  vocation 
among  the  wapon  trains  or  in  the  public  streets,  whenever  they 
could  do  so  without  danger  of  interference  from  the  Mexican 
authorities.  By  the  Mexican  gamblei-s  they  were  styled  ladrones 
(thieves),  and  "many  years  previous  to  our  invasion  of  the  coun- 
try were  nil  known  to  its  inhabitants.  They  followed  up  feasts, 
were  to  be  found  in  the  parket-places  of  large  cities,  and  m 
fact  at  all  sorts  of  public  gatberings  wherever  a  crowd  assem- 

bled.  ..       .    . 

They  were  not  permitted  openiy  to  ply  their  vocation,  but 
carried  on  their  business  much  as  the  three-card  sharpers  of 
England  operate  ^.t  the  present  time.  Whenever  they  were 
dragt^  d  before  an  Alcalde,  and  the  fact  of  their  having  robbed 


[D. 

d  cool  Judgment; 
les,  he  wo  i\i\  be  a 
iewlng  'ooth  theao 
out  he  same  foot- 
tiiuate  in  the  eyes 
3  made  any  eflbrts 

Ilia  ingoniniis  little 
»  say ;  hut  that  wo 
e  soil  It  first  orig- 
adod  that  country, 
g  it,  and  went  on 
probably  known  to 
e  globe.  It  made 
early  as  IS'37 ,  "•' ' 
8  an  ingenious  do- 
lous  cash.  In  the 
3  was  in  that  city 
)enitentiary  for  re- 
I.  The  ofiense  was 
n  the  time  of  that 
up  in  Louisiana,  or 
about  the  breaking 

Icott's  armies,  not  a 
jut  numbers  of  the 
jg,  gradually  found 
lied  their  vocation 
ets,  whenever  they 

from  the  Mexican 
reve  styled  ladrones 
vasion  of  the  coun- 

foUowed  up  feasts, 
largo  cities,  and  in 
?er  a  crowd  assem- 

their  vocation,  but 
se-card  sharpers  of 
henever  they  were 
their  having  robbed 


XnKKE-CAUU   JIONTE   TUROWKKS.  137 

any  person  at  tlicir  littlo  game  wa.s  proven  against  thorn,  thcv 
wore  cinpHlo,!  f.  iHun.l  tlio  plun.lor  and  pav  a  (ino  of  two 
ounces  (.-«;{-)  ,„•  .stand  onimitted  to  work  lor  two  luonthii  in  tlio 
chani-gang. 

Wiiilo  in  Haltiilo,  during  the  summer  of  1847,  I  recollect  see- 
ing ono  of  thcso  fellows.  H«  was  called  Pancho,  niul  if  ho  ever 
Had  any  otiicr  name,  no  one  seemed  to  he  awan>  of  tlio  f-ict 
and  1  am  sure  I  never  ascertained  it.  Uo  was  seaireiy  twenty 
years  old,  but,  young  as  ho  was,  I  doubt  if  ho  ever  had  a  superior 
ni  tossing  about  the  three  cards.  Uis  dexterity  at  the  business 
was  truly  wonderful.  Having  collected  in  this  manner,  from  the 
Anierican  citizens  and  soldiers  about  the  camp  of  Uuena  Vista 
ami  in  the  City  of  Saltillo,  something  like  $5,000,  he  mado  a 

'^^nln  ^m"'°  Y'*,''  ""  '^'■'''^''^"  "*■ "'"  '■''^'"''''•«-  '^'^^y  «''<=>'  put  up 
$3,000,  the  whole  to  bo  played  for  until  wou.    The  conditions  of 

the  game  were  tliat  I'ancho  should  throw  with  American  cards 
and  the  dragoon  do  the  guessing.  The  latter  ''rung  in" 
stamped  cards  upon  his  adversary,  which  was  a  littlo  too  high- 
stiung  for  I'ancho,  who,  losing  his  money,  imagined  doubtless 
that  he  had  "niuy  mnlo  sucrtc." 

In  the  early  daVs  of  California  the  country  was  overrun  with 
these  three-card  throwers  and  their  confederates.  Among  them 
were  Americans,  Englishmen,  and  Mexicans,  and,  with  the  ex- 
ception  of  a  single  German,  all  the  three-card  throwers  I  have 
over  met  wore  comyoscd  of  these  nationalities.  Wherever  a 
fellow  could  be  discovered  capable  of  throwing  three  cards,  the 
sharpers  unmediately  brought  him  to  the  front.  These  light- 
fingered  gontrycould  bo  found  plying  their  calling  in  every  city 

of  San  I-rancsco  and  Sacramento,  numbers  of  them  might  be 
seen  any  day  seated  on  the  sidewalk,  throwing  their  Ss  as 

nrtX;Tnde  m"  r  ^^-^'^^  ^'^^^  citles^S  airndVd 
"  me  from  r    f,  "'  ?'"'  '""  *^'  *■""'«  ""  ^''""^  ^^^Y  Prevcd 

thimble-rS  1  ^J.^dt.    '^^^  ''"•"^'""'  ^^''^P-Playing. 

forth  was  ^:;^::^!?^:^'-'  '^^^  "^^*  "- 

TnaT-velZ" esneehnv"""'';'  '"■"""•■^  '"  ^"^'^"^^  '«  ^'""ething 


488 


WANDBRINGS  OP  A  VAGABOND. 


card  throwers.  They  prowl  around  the  difforont  railway  stations, 
carefully  inspcctiiiR  each  passonfjer,  an(l,ii.s  if  by  instinct,  Jan  tell 
Instantly  tlio  pigeon  from  the  I'lnvk.  LibiMa'.ly  feeing  the  of- 
ficials, tlipy  are  furnished  with  duplicate  keya  to  the  carriage 
doors,  and  by  that  means  -an,  if  desirablo,  change  their  carriage 
at  every  station.  Iininodiately  upon  the  startinij  of  the  train 
thoy  open  their  little  game,  and  by  the  time  it  arrives  at  an- 
other station  they  leave  tlio  carriage  tlien  occupied  for  another, 
unless  they  have  succeeded  in  flndiug  customers  An-  whoso  hen- 
eflt  it  will  pay  them  to  remain.  Tlusy  roam  from  carriage  to 
carriage  in  searcli  of  prey  until  tlio  train  reaches  its  destination. 
At  raco-moetings,  and  along  tlio  roads  loading  to  the  courses, 
they  can  bo  soon  huddled  togetlier  in  knots,  wlioro  perhaps  the 
operator  has  spread  nis  coat  upon  tlio  green  sward,  and  is  tossing 
about  his  cards  in  hopes  some  passu  -by  may  bo  attracted  by  it, 
to  give  him  a  bet ;  while  at  the  same  time  half  a  dozen  cappers 
arc  giving  liim  every  possil)lo  assistance,  by  voice  and  action, 
while  in  the  distance  are  posted  sentinels,  to  give  the  alarm  in 
case  the  intruding  feet  of  a  policeman  approaches,  whoso  duty  it 
is  to  arrest  them  when  found  plying  their  vocation. 

To  conduct  any  banking  game  of  chance  is,  according  to  the 
laws  of  England,  a  felony,  with  the  single  exception  of  those  at 
Newmarket  during  race-meetings  at  that  place,  wliich  are  per- 
mitted and  are  exempt  from  punishment  by  special  act  of  Parlia- 
ment. All  public  games  played  like  three  card  monto,  strap- 
games,  etc.,  are  misdemeanors,  and  are  punishable  by  one  or  two 
months  in  the  House  of  Correction.  These,  however,  are  in- 
fringed upon,  e.ipecially  around  race-meetings,  daily;  and  magis- 
trates are  very  8lo\\  to  enforce  them,  as  public  opinion  regards 
the  penalties  as  being  much  too  severe  for  the  oflfense.  But  the 
police  break  up  these  games  wherever  found,  and  should  the 
conductor  of  such  a  game  bo  hauled  up  before  a  magistrate  by 
one  of  his  victima.  for  the  purpose  of  regaining  the  money  lost  to 
him,  it  is  t^ener.ally  rofnnded,  on  condition  that  the  complaint  be 
withdrawn.  Should  the  complainant,  however,  press  his  charge 
against  one  of  these  sharps,  ho  will  get  throe  months  in  the 
House  of  Correction,  but  on  an  average  not  ^.  case  of  the  kind 
occure  annually. 

A  person  who  is  convicted  of  playing  scratched  or  loaded  dice, 
or  of  secreting  cards  upon  his  person  while  playing  for  money, 


lit  railway  stations, 
)y  instinct,  Jan  tell 
ally  feeing  the  of- 
ya  to  llio  carriage 
ango  their  carriage 
irtiiig  of  tbo  train 
1  it  arrives  at  an- 
upifd  for  another, 
icrs  for  whoso  ben- 
\  from  carriage  to 
lies  its  destination, 
njr  to  the  courses, 
wlioro  perhaps  the 
Fard,  and  is  tossing 
1)0  attracted  by  it. 
If  a  dozen  cappers 
voice  and  action, 
give  the  alarm  in 
ches,  whoso  duty  it 
ation. 

s,  according  to  the 
:cepti<in  of  those  at 
ICO,  wliich  are  per- 
leclal  act  of  Parlia- 
card  nionte,  strap- 
bable  by  one  or  two 
3,  however,  are  in- 
,  daily ;  and  magis- 
lic  opinion  regards 
e  offense.  But  the 
k1,  and  should  the 
re  a  magistrate  by 
ig  the  money  lost  to 
at  tho  complaint  be 
'cr,  press  his  charge 
roe  months  in  the 
.    case  of  the  kind 

ched  or  loaded  dice, 
playing  for  money, 


THREE-CARD  MONTE  THROWERS. 


atQ 


or  in  any  manner  cheating  his  adversary  at  play  where  m.ii.'^y  is 
at  stake,  is  sentenced  to  a  felon's  cell  for  a  term  of  years.  The 
offenses  just  enumerated  are  not  a  whit  more  grave  tlian  that  of 
the  three  card  llirower ;  but  as  all  the  lawyers  in  Kngland  could 
not  convict  him  of  cheating,  except  his  cappers  gave  voluntary 
evidence  against  him,  and  as  all  stand  equally  in  danger  of  tho 
law,  it  is  not  likely  such  a  thing  would  occur  once  in  a  cen- 
tury. The  reason  why  tho  throe-card  thrower  evades  pun- 
ishment is  because  there  is  no  special  act  making  three-card 
throwing  a  felony,  and  justice  is  unable  to  fix  his  guilt  unon 
him.  *^ 

For  many  years  after  the  conviction  of  Phillips,  not  a  single 
three-card  thrower  wjis  to  be  found  in  New  Orleans,  at  least  lu 
any  of  the  public  places.      Those  chevaliers  dUndustrie  who 
plied  their  vocation  there  did  so  with  the  greatest  secrecy  and 
caution  j  and  only  among  tho  initiated  in  cock-pits,  and  in  those 
low  dons  of  vice  at  tho  swamps  or  down  at  Lake  Pontchartrain 
and  more  often  along  the  ♦!:..- ooat  landing,  would  ba  chosen 
as  tho  theatre  of  their  opcrat-jiis.    Their  subjects  were  princi- 
pally  strangers,  wlio  were  less  likely  to  make  complaints  than 
residents,  before  tho  police  courts,  and  unlikely  to  remain  in  the 
city  -during  the  sickly  months,  to  prosecute.    At  the  commenee- 
ment  of  the  Mexican  war  New  Orleans  resembled  nothing  so 
much  as  a  beleaguered  city,  except  that  troops  were  either  leav- 
ing or  arriving  there  daily.    Thieves  and  sharpers  of  every  de- 
scription nocked  there  to  follow  their  nefarious  business,  and 
while  the  excitement  lasted,  sharping  of  every  description  flour- 
ished boldly  and  wont  scot-free.    Among  others,  the  three-card 
throwers,  finding  that  justice  slept  and  fools  were  plentiful, 
emerged  from  their  temporary  eclipse,  and  began  once  more  to 
ply  their  vocation,  with  none  to  molest  or  make  them  afraid.  No 
longer  was  it  necessary  for  them  to  seek  out  hidden  places  in 
which  to  perform  their  villainies ;  but  they  were  to  be  met  with 
on  the  levee,  in  bar-rooms,  and  even  at  the  public  balls.    Finally 
they  took  possession  of  the  cabins  of  tho  river  steamers,  and 
captains  who,  but  a  few  months  previously,  would  have  set  a 
man  ashore,  if  not  caused  him  to  be  lynched,  whom  they  caught 
throwing  three  cards  on  their  steamers,  were  compelled  to  con- 
fess that  a  new  era  had  dawned,  and  that  tho  legitimacy  of  three- 
card  monte  was  established.    From  that,  to  them,  auspicious  day, 


■■^lyW  1 9nit^if4^jt:i^^ 


410 


WAITDEKINOS  IF  A  VAOAnOND. 


to  lUi8,  the  thrco-caidiii.iiito  .sUarim  Imvo  been  following  up  our 
liiioHiif  truvel  tluouglioiit  Uw  roaiilry,  robi.iuK  lliu  ve'iiliiiil  wilU 
pcrfcct  inii)unity.  Fioui  truvelurs  uu  our  wcsteni  rivers  Imvo 
they  derived  their  greato.st  i)n)lil.s.  Many  of  the  ciiptJiiiis  of 
pueketa  leaving  the  ports  of  St.  I.nui(*  and  New  OrleauH  stood  in 
with  the  shari)ers,  receiving  ("''(lu  the  thiovea  ouo-thlrd  of  Iho 
money  wliieh  tlioy  iilundered  IVom  llie  passengora. 

On  an  oveuing  after  leaving  port,  the  suppor-tablo  having 
been  cleared,  n  table  was  placed  In  the  aocial  hall,  ami  the  ma- 
nipulator comincncod  business,  assisted  by  a  half-dozen  or  so  of 
cappers.  This  party  having  cleaned  out  all  tho  verdant  foola 
which  they  could  Hnd,  then  loft  the  steamer  at  tho  tU-st  landing, 
and  took  tho  next  boat  back  to  tho  city;  or  perhaps  they  would 
continuo  up  or  down  tho  rivor,  as  tho  case  might  bo,  boarding  a 
boat,  and,  after  flcocnng  wiiat  dui)es  thoy  might  discover  on  her, 
leave  her  at  tho  first  landing,  taking  tho  next  that  camo  along 
and  working  hor  tho  same  way,  and  so  on  ad  inflnitum. 

After  opening  their  game  tliey  could  tell  in  a  few  momenta 
wlicther  there  wore  any  Hul)ject8  aboard  worthy  of  their  attention ; 
and  so  long  aa  thoy  had  hopes  vf  dragging  a  victim  to  tho  sham- 
bles, 80  long  would  thoy  remain ;  but  when  tho  hope  was  iost, 
tho  boat  was  immodlatoly  abandoned. 

Three-card  monte  la  in  appearance  a  very  simpio  gamo,  and 
tho  manner  of  throwing  tho  cards  in  a  straight  gamo  is  easily 
loarnod  in  a  few  minutes.  Tho  aharper  takes  throe  cards  bctweoa 
the  flngera  of  his  right  hand;  tho  cards  being,  wo  will  say,  two 
red  onca  and  a  black  one.  He  showa  tho  faces  of  these  to  the 
company  and  throwa  them  down  back  upwarda  on  a  table,  tho 
ground,  or  whatever  substitute  hto  uses  for  a  table,  saying,  "I'll 
bot  $10,  $20,  or  $50,  as  tho  case  may  bo,  that  no  one  here  can 
pick  up  tho  black  card."  This  gamo,  when  played  ou  tho  square, 
Is  two  to  one  in  favor  of  tho  person  throwing  the  cards;  but  it 
was  never  created  for  a  fair  game  of  chance,  even  in  that  respect, 
but  as  a  cunning  device  for  robbing  and  swindling  such  persons 
OS  are  only  willing  to  risk  their  money  on  a  dead-sure  thing. 
The  rapidity  with  which  tho  cards  are  tossed  about  by  the 
sharper  confuses  tho  sight  of  tho  bystanders,  and  it  la  the  pol- 
icy of  the  former  to  make  his  dupea  believe  that  such  Is  the 
true  principle  of  the  gamo.  ^7ero  ho  satisfied  to  let  the  matter 
rest  on  this  basis,  with  two  to  one  In  his  favor,  he  could  hardly 


following  up  our 
lliu  vfitliuil  Willi 
U'lii  rlVL'ia  liiivo 
■  llio  Ciiptiiiiw  of 
OrlciiUH  .stood  hi 
ouo-tliircl  ot  lUo 

por-tiil»lo  liiivlnR 
liivU,  imtl  the  niii- 
iilf-dozen  or  so  of 
tho  vcrdivnt  I'oola 
tho  tu-st  liuidiii}?, 
rliaps  they  would 
iit  be,  boanlliiR  a 
t  dlacovor  on  lior, 
that  carao  along 
iflnitum. 

I  a  few  momenta 
of  tholr  attention; 
ictlm  to  the  sliam- 
10  hope  was  iost, 

simpio  gamo,  and 
gbt  game  Is  easily 
iree  cards  botwcca 
we  will  say,  two 
ces  of  these  to  the 
Is  on  a  table,  the 
able,  saying,  "I'll 
;  no  one  hero  can 
lyed  on  the  square, 
T  the  cards;  but  it 
ren  in  that  respect, 
llhig  such  persons 
a  dead-sure  thing. 
!scd  about  by  the 
,  and  It  is  the  pol- 
I  that  such  is  the 
1  to  let  the  matter 
)r,  he  could  hardly 


TUllEE-CAnD  MOXTE  TnnOWERS.  .141 

mnlwoHl"?  7;"'*  '"^^■"  '"">•  ^""  veriest  fool.s  for  untugoulats, 
'""  «  ""Id,  l.e«i,it.«,  1O.S0  more  than  iwo-ti.ird.s  of  his  most  valual.lo 
cuHtunR.rs.  It  IH  the  drea.4  of  hwing  wl,i,.|,  .loters  the  opnon.nt.s 
«•  gamhli„K  irom  risking  their  .noM.y  at  the  eard-tablo.  .Show 
'••'»  wlHMe  they  ,,.„  |,..  i,s.s,wed  of  always  winning,  and  they 
"'"  i""M'  i.t  It  with  tl...  alacrity  of  a  cat  pouncing  upon  .■,  mouse- 
'""■'\'""  ';'tl..-n.a-..l..ad..s„,o  thing,-  .'„..  thdr  ionsnontio,"; 
•-<nipk.s  wiil  vai.i.sl,  lilio  fog  l„,ibre  tho  scorching  beams  of  a 
munnuT  hmii.  I  have  m«on  in  California,  lousy  miners,  too  stingy 
<>  IK. V  lor  a  bath  or  a  shave,  pull  out  a  bag  of  gohl-.lust  e,,uiv- 

'""'  to  several  iunxlre.l  dollars,  an< t  it  on  the  turning  over 

01  a  card  at  three-nml  monte.  with  an  .Mgcrness  which  was  sur- 
prising,  till  ono  relLu'ts  that  they  bolievcl  they  had  a  dea.l 
(T-rtamty  of  winning,  as  nmch  us  tlioy  believed  in  the  certainty 
of  their  -nvn  existence.  At  tho  same  time  not  one  in  ten  of 
them  would  hazard  his  money  on  a  s(piare  game  of  any  descrir)- 

;;'"•  ,'"■ ;"!  "yr"  •^^''""^"  "f  '»'>•  k''"!-  These  are  the  characters 
Who  leed  tho  three-raid  monte  throwers,  strop-players,  thimble- 
riggers,  mxl  p>.cl<et-book  droppers,  with  others  "of  their  ilk- 
it  IS  the  gree.l  of  .ain  that  tempts  ^hom,  and  they  aro  ontirolv 
unuorthy  of  sympathy. 

Three-card  inonte  is  a  deception,  and  herein  lies  tho  success 
01  tho  Jraud.     Every  motion  of  tho  sharper's  tongue  and  fingers 
IS  a  deception  while  tossing  about  his  cards  for  tho  luring  within 
lus  toils  of  a  victim;  and  to  aid  him  in  its  consummation,  five  or 
SIX  cappers  aro  making  sham  bets  and  in  this  manner  keep  up 
the  play  .so  long  us  there  is  any  hope  of  inveigling  a  victim.    A 
bystander  who  exprcs-ses  by  words,  signs  or  looks,  that  he  is 
capable  of  picking  out  the  desired  card,  is  instantly  frozen  to  by 
one  of  tho  cappers,  and  no  artiflce  will  bo  left  untried  to  Induce 
him  to  part  with  his  money.    Since  tho  first  introduction  of  the 
trick  among  us,  many  skillful  baits  have  Ijcen  introduced  into  it 
to  catch  fools.     The  original  device  for  this  purpose  was  to  bend 
down  a  corner  of  il,,,  winning  card,  which  was  usually  accom- 
plished in  the  following  manner;  While  tho  .sharper  is  tossing  his 
cards  about,  the  cappers,  in  order  to  distract  his  attention,  get 
up  a  sbam  fight,  or  one  of  them  touches  him  on  the  shoulder  in 
order  to  induce  him  to  look  around— a  play  which  ho  performs 
with  much  alacrity;  and  while  tho  first  whispers  in  his  ear,  a 
s  coud  capper  bends  tho  corner  of  tho  winning  card,  taking  care 


44S 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


M 


1 


that  its  face  be  distinctly  seen  by  tbe  "gull"  looking  on.  The 
sluirper,  recommencing  to  cbiow  bia  cards,  of  course  never  dis- 
cerns tbe  bend  on  tbe  card  on  wbicb.be  wisbes  to  bet,  nor  for  a 
moment  sees  tbat  it  has  a  ratber  deformed  appearance,  as  be 
wagers  bis  money  tbat  no  one  present  can  pick  it  up.  He,  unsus- 
pecting soul,  tbrows  bis  cards  down  on  tbe  table,  crying,  "  I'll  bet 
fifty  or  one  bundred  dollars  tbat  no  one  can  pick  out  tbe  black 
card,"  and  tbe  same  black  card  is  tbrown,  face  upwards,  on  tbe 
table,  so  tbat  all  may  see  its  face,  as  well  as  tbe  bend  in  its  cor- 
ner. But  now,  wben  be  gives  bis  "  flnisbiug  sbuffle,"  as  be  calls 
it,  preparatory  to  taking  cbe  oflered  wagers,  be  passes  tbe  cards 
back  and  forward  between  bis  Augers,  and  quick  as  thought 
straightens  tbe  bended  corner  of  tbe  winner  into  its  former 
shape,  while  at  the  same  instant  another  finger  bends  up  the 
corner  of  another  card;  tbe  three  cards  are  now  laid  side  by 
side,  one  having  a  bended  corner,  and  tbe  sharper  is  now  ready 
to  take  bets  to  any  amount  that  no  person  can  select  the  wm- 
ning  card  from  its  two  fellows. 

At  the  present  day  a  speck  of  Ir,  i  sand  is  more  commonly 
used.  Tbe  sharper  selects  for  his  j,  .me  three  new  cards  of  spot- 
less purity,  save  tbe  print  and  a  small  black  speck  on  the  back 
of  one,  no  larger  than  a  piu's  bead ;  this  of  course  being  the  win- 
ning card.  The  capper  of  course  drops  on  t'-  -  mark,  and  follows 
it  up  by  winning  two  or  more  straight  be^s  l..  it.-  But  be  is  not 
80  selfish  as  to  keep  the  golden  secret  solely  to  himself;  the  at- 
tenUonof  tbe  "  gulls"  is  called  in  tbat  direction  by  tbe  generous 
fellow,  in  ord>.  tbat  they  may  get  a  little  of  the  "chicken  pie." 
Tbe  sharper,  keeping  a  sh,- rp  look-out  whenever  he  sees  cue  of 
his  dupes  having  bis  money  ready  to  back  the  spotted  card,  gives 
the  cards  a  gentle  shuffle,  at  the  same  moment  wiping  off  the 
grain  of  sand,  whi,;h  adheres  to  the  ball  of  one  of  the  fingers  of 
his  right  baud,  wliile  with  one  of  tbe  fingers  of  his  left  hand  he 
plants  a  similar  speck  on  the  back  of  one  of  tbe  others.  So  dex- 
terously and  rapidly  does  he  perform  this  little  piece  of  leger- 
de-main  that  tbe  eyes  of  his  own  cappers  are  unable  o  detect 
the  trick.  All  tbe  world  and  bis  wife  would  not  induce  tne  "  gull 
to  believe  he  has  not  a  dead-sure  thing  on  tbat  card,  and  on  the 
strength  of  his  belief  he  sizes  up  all  bia  money.  But  should 
craven  fear  seize  him,  and  caution  him  to  risk  but  a  portion  of 
his  money,  the  operator  is  suddenly  seized  with  tbe  notion  that 


BOND. 

lU"  looking  on.  The 
of  course  never  dis- 
isbes  to  bet,  nor  for  a 
3(1  appee.rauco,  as  be 
lick  it  up.  He,  unsus- 
able,  crying,  "I'll  bet 
n  pick  out  tbe  black 
face  upwards,  on  the 
;is  tbo  bend  in  its  cor- 
ig  sbufflo,"  as  be  calls 
s,  be  passes  the  cards 
nd  quick  as  thought 
inner  into  its  former 
•  finger  bends  up  the 
are  now  laid  side  by 
sharper  is  now  ready 
m  can  select  the  win- 
id  is  more  commonly 
ree  new  cards  of  spot- 
;k  speck  on  the  back 
'  course  being  the  win- 
t>'>  mark,  and  follows 
s  L.^  it.-  Bat  he  is  not 
ly  to  himself;  the  at- 
jction  by  the  generous 
of  the  "chicken  pie." 
leuever  he  sees  cue  of 
be  spotted  card,  gives 
Qoment  wiping  off  the 
)f  one  of  the  fingers  of 
;ers  of  his  left  hand  he 
Df  the  others.  So  dex- 
3  little  piece  of  leger- 
•3  are  unable  '  o  detect 
not  induce  tne  "gull" 
I  that  card,  and  on  the 
3  money.     But  should 

0  risk  but  a  portion  of 

1  with  the  notion  that 


THBEB-CAKD  MONTE  THKOWEKS. 


443 


he  will  only  take  bets  of  a  certain  amount,  and  on  no  account 
will  he  take  one  of  less;  the  "gull  "is  forced  to  hazard  his  all,  and 
should  he  not  have  a  sufficiency  of  money  to  make  up  that 
amount,  some  of  those  accommodating  gentlemen,  the  caTjpors, 
win  take  tbo  balance,  just  to  see  the  bet  come  off. 

I  have  never  yet  in  my  life  seen  an  elderly  person  throwing 
three  cards ;  the  tribe  is  composed  exclusively  of  young  men,  or 
those  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  all  belonging  to  the  ignorant  and 
uncultivated  class;  it  being  an  exceedingly  rare  thing  to  see  one 
of  gentlemanly  exterior  or  manners  and  habits.     The  ruffian 
predominates  largely  among  them,  and  It  is  impossible  for  them 
to  disguise  the  fact.    None  of  them  ever  have,  that  I  know  of, 
shown  any  aptitude  for  card-playing,  and  whatever  gambling  they 
do  is  playing  against  faro  or  other  banking  games.    Not  a  few  of 
them  are  roped  in  for  victims  of  the  two-card  boxes,  and  there 
fleeced.    These,  with  the  assistance  of  lewd  women  and  extrav- 
agant habits,  strip  from  the  mass  of  them  their  ill-gotten  gains. 
Still,  there  have  been  among  the  tribe,  individuals  who  could  not 
be  induced  to  hazard  their  money  at  any  sort  of  gaming  what- 
ever; and  these  have,  after  a  few  years,  retired  with  a  sufficient 
competency,  and  turned  respectable.    I  have  already  mentioned 
that  every  three-card  thro-  er  is  accompanied  by  a  retinue  of 
five  or  more  cappers,  who  .sually  receive  from  him  a  small  per- 
centage  on  whatever  plunde  is  obtained.    These  are  of  the  low- 
est and  most  despicable  order  of  human  b  ings,  and  are  similar 
in  habits  and  social  status  to  those  employed  by  the  lower  order 
of  brace-houses  to  cap  their  games. 


-  r«»'/i»aii,iii»to(^!»^«*ji(o,.jjs-i,-,,^ 


liiiiiiiM'^ 


J 


WANDEKINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND, 


CHAPTER   XXXVI- 


THE  nOG-DROVEU. 

In  the  summer  of  1858  I  chauccd  to  bo  a  passenger  on  board 
the  steamer  Robert  P.   Hale,  bound  from  Louisville  to  New- 
Orleans.    We  left  Memphis  in  the  evening,  having  taken  ou 
board  at  that  place  a  cargo  of  three-card  sharpers.    The  supper- 
table  being  cleared,  the  chief  manipulator,  a  tall,  hungry-looking 
specimen  of  humanity,  with  long  dark  hair  and  a  sanctimonious- 
looking  face,  caused  one  of  the  card-tables  to  be  arran^i'd  for 
him  in  the  social  hsiU.    Having  takec  from  his  coat-pockot  a 
pack  of  cards,  he  placed  them  on  the  table  before  him  and  com- 
menced drumming  up  customers  in  som»what  the  following 
slratn:  "Come  this  way,  gentlemen;  I'm  agoin' ter  show  ycr  a 
trick  I  was  robbed  at  a  few  days  ago,  whilst  I  was  on  ther  bote 
goin'  home  from  Memphis,  by  a  rascally  sec  c'  three-card  monte 
sharpers.    Them  scoundrels  is  allcrs  traveVin'  on  steamboats  fur 
ter  swindle  ther  passengers.    They've  robbed  me,  and  I'm  goiu 
ter  expose  'em  every  chance  I  gits.    Come  up,  gentlemen,  an  1 11 
show  ver  how  they  docs  it.    It's  the  dooty  of  everybody  to  know 
how  to  protect  hisself.    So  come  this  way,  gentlemen;  yer  can  t 
lose  nothin'  by  learnin'."    This  appeal  had  the  desired  effect, 
and  in  a  few  momenta  the  orator  was  surrounded  by  an  atten- 
tive audience,  if  not  an  admiring  one.  ,..  ^  u    i     *■ 
He  then  selected  from  the  pack  three  cards,  which  he  bent 
sideways  bet^veen  his  fingers,  and  then  threw  them  face  upwards 
upon  the  table,  saying,  "Gentlemen,  hero's  the  eight  o'  clubs,  the 
eight  o'  spades,  and  the  queen  o'  hearts.    The  queen  o'  her.,  ts, 
gentlemen,  is  the  winning  card.    Now,  gentlemen,  this  ore  trick 
may  be  simple  to  you,  but  the  scoundrels  robbed  me  of  a  hundred 
dollars  at  it,  an'  they  shan't  cheat  nobody  else  ef  I  kin  help  it. 
Now,  gentlemen,  keep  ver  eyes  on  the  keards.  Pro  a  going  ter  fix 
'em  as  them  fellows  fixed  'em  fur  me.    The  winning  keard  is 
ther  queen  o'  hearts ;  don't  forget  it,  gentlemen." 

The  manipulator  tossed  his  cards  backwards  and  forwards 
between  his  fingers  in  rather  a  clumsy  manner,  after  which 
he  left  the  three  resting  side  by  side  before  him  on  the  table. 

Then  looking  around  on  his  audience,  ho  said,  "Thar's  the  trick, 


cnger  on  board 
uisvillc  to  New 
iviug  taken  on 
8.  The  suppcr- 
hungry-looking 
I  sanctimonious- 
bc  arniii^'i'il  for 
3  coat-pockot  a 
•0  hira  and  coin- 
t  the  following 
a'  ter  show  ycr  a 
as  on  tlier  bote 
liree-card  monte 
ci  steamboats  fur 
lO,  and  I'm  goin' 
entlemen,  an'  I'll 
jiybody  to  know 
emen;  yer  can't 

0  desired  effect, 
Bd  by  an  atten- 

,  which  he  bent 
om  face  upwards 
light  o'  clubs,  the 

1  queen  o'  her.,  ts, 
en,  this  ore  trick 
I  mo  of  a  hundred 
a  ef  I  kin  help  it. 
'm  a  going  ter  fix 
ivinuing  keard  is 

n 

is  and  forwards 
iner,  after  which 
lim  on  the  table. 
'Thar's  the  trick, 


THE  nOG-DnOVER.  445 

gentlemen."  A  perfect  stillness  prevailed.  His  audience  did  not 
display  any  emotional  or  other  sign,s  that  their  mental  ftxculties 
were  greatly  improved  by  his  exposition. 

"What's  the  trick?"  incjuired  a  tall  cai)per,  standing  in  the 
outward  circle,  and  peering  over  tho  heads  of  tho  bystanders 
between  himself  and  the  table. 

"Thar  it  is,"  reiterated  tho  manipulator,  pointing  liis  index 
finger  at  the  three  cards.  "Yer  see  they  l)et  me  a  hundred  dol- 
lars I  couldn't  pick  out  the  queen  o'  hearts,  and  I  didn't;  an' 
that's  ther  way  as  how  they  stole  my  money  from  me." 

"Cb 1!"  swore  the  tall  capper  who  had  before  spoken, 

still  peering  over  the  heads  of  the  crowd.    "I  thought  after  all 
his  fuss  that  feller  was  goin'  to  show  us  somethin'  new." 

"  It  was  new  enough  fur  me  to  lose  my  hundred  dollars  at, 
Mister,"  replied  the  manipulator,  tartly. 

"To  said  they  cheated  ye,  didn't  yer  ?"  demanded  a  diminu- 
tive, pinched-faced  individual,  standing  at  a  corner  of  the  table, 
attentively  regarding  the  operator,  with  both  hands  thrust  into 
the  pockets  of  his  pantaloons,  and  who  was  also  a  capper  of  the 
concern. 

"That's  what  I  said,  an'  I  sticks  to  it,"  responded  the  manip- 
ulator. 

"Well,  how  did  they  cheat?"  again  demanded  the  diminutive 
gentleman. 

"Didn't  I  tell  yer  they  bet  me  a  hundred  dollars  I  couldn't 
pick  up  the  queen  o'  hearts  f " 

"An'  ye  bet  'em?"  said  the  under-sized  gentleman. 

"Uv  course  I  did,  an'  lost." 

"Of  course  he  did  and  lost," mimicked  the  tall  capper.  " Had 
he  happened  to  pick  up  the  right  card  and  won,  then  them  fel- 
lers wouldn't  a'  been  thieves— o'  no!  I  guess  not!"  he  exclaim- 
ed, a  broad  gr.u  expanding  over  iiis  countenance. 

"  Well,"  cried  the  operator,  evidently  lashed  up  by  the  taunts 
of  the  tall  individual,  "I  knows  the  game's  a  swindle  because 
nobody  couldn't  pick  out  the  queen,  an'  them  there  cussed  ras- 
cals wouldn't  a'  bet  me,  only  they  knowed  I  couldn't  a'  picked 
It  up." 

"  I'll  bet  yon  a  hundred  dollars  I  can  pick  the  queen  out  o' 
them  three  cards.  Mister,"  said  the  small  man. 
"Not  with  me,  stranger,"  replied  the  manipulator;  "no  more 


446 


WANDERTKGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


im 


o'  iny  money  goes  that  there  way ;  I  aiu't  hero  ter  gamble,  but 
ter  expose  a  fraud,  an'  I  bets  no  more  money  with  nobody.'' 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  a  fine-..  'Mng  fellow,  fashion- 
ably attired,  with  a  superabundance  jf  diamond  studs  twinkling 
in  the  bosom  of  his  shirt,  and  a  large  gold  chain  around  his  neck, 
attached  to  a  watch  in  his  vest  poc'iet,  not  to  mention  a  profu- 
sion of  other  jewelry  which  he  cctrried  about  him,  cried,  "  I'll 
take  tha*  bet !  "  All  eyes  were  now  centred  on  the  fashionable- 
looking  stranger,  who  elbotved  his  way  through  the  crowd  thafr. 
surrounded  the  table,  until  he  stood  immediately  in  front  of  it. 
Taking  from  the  inside  poi'-ket  of  his  vest  a  large  bundle  of  bank 
notes  he  pulled  from  it  a  hundred  dollar  bill,  which  he  flung 
carelessly  on  the  table,  at  the  same  time  casting  his  eyes  towards 
the  diminutive  gentleman,  and  saying,  "  Cover  that  if  you  think 
you  can  turn  over  the  queen  of  hearts." 

"Thar's  my  soap!"  replied  the  person  addressed,  bringing  his 
hand  out  from  his  breeches  pockets,  andflingmg  upon  the  table 
five  twenty -dollar  gold  pieces. 

"  Pick  her  up,  then,  an'  the  money's  yours !  "said  the  fashion- 
ably-dressed stranger. 

The  little  man  reached  over  and  picked  up  one  of  the  cards 
and  turned  it  face  upwards.  It  was  the  eight  of  spades.  His 
defoat  was  greeted  with  uproarious  laughter  from  the  crowd,  who 
by  this  time  had  become  exceedingly  interested  in  the  proceed- 
ings. 

"  I'll  give  you  a  chance  to  get  even,  sir,"  said  the  winner  to 
his  defeated  adversary. 

"All  right ! "  said  that  gentleman,  going  back  into  his  breech- 
es pocket  and  bringing  forth  five  more  double  eagles,  addressmg 
the  operator  with,  "  Shuffle  up  yer  tricks.  Mister." 

That  person  complied  according  to  the  most  approved  method, 
and  laid  out  the  three  cards,  ready  for  the  hazard.  The  little  gen- 
tleman again  essayed  to  find  her  majesty  of  hearts  among  the 
three  cards,  but  with  no  better  success  than  before,  having  this 
time  flopped  over  the  eight  of  clubs.  The  second  time  was  his  dis- 
comfiture hailed  with  a  shout  of  derision  from  those  assembled 
around  the  table. 

"  I'll  go  you  again,"  said  the  winning  gentleman,  hauUng  in 
the  stakes. 
"  No  more  o'  that  there  thieving  game  ftir  me,"  cried  the  llt- 


'  ?iiS?^^'S8,^^^^-««SMS&'-'4«**> 


D. 

0  ter  gamble,  but 
yith  nobody.'' 

jg  fellow,  lashiou- 
id  studs  twiukling 
a  around  bis  neck, 

1  mention  a  profu- 
t  him,  cried,  "  I'll 
a  the  fasbionable- 
{h  tbe  crowd  that 
tely  in  front  of  it. 
•ge  bundle  of  bank 
II,  which  he  flung 
ig  his  eyes  towards 
r  that  if  you  think 

essed,  bringing  his 
ng  upon  the  table 

"said the  fashion* 

p  one  of  the  cards 
jt  of  spades.  His 
•om  the  crowd,  who 
ed  in  the  proceed- 

laid  the  winner  to 

ick  into  his  breech" 
I  eagles,  addressmg 
ster." 

;  approved  method, 
ard.  The  little  gen- 
'  hearts  among  the 
before,  having  this 
ad  time  was  his  dis- 
>m  those  assembled 

itleman,  hauling  in 

'  me,"  cried  the  llt- 


THB  HOe-SROVER. 


447 


tie  man,  thrusting  both  hands  into  his  breeches  pockets  as  far  as 
practicablo,  and  staring  at  the  three  curds  as  if  he  had  an  appe- 
tite to  eat  them  up. 

"  I'll  go  yer  a  hundred  fur  a  flyer,"  now  sung  out  anothercap- 
per,  who  up  to  this  moment  had  remained  a  silent  spectator  of 
the  scene. 

"  There's  my  money,"  responded  the  well-dressed  stranger, 
carelessly  throwing  upon  the  table  flvo  of  the  gold  pieces  he  had 
taken  in  from  the  diminutive  gentleman. 

"I  object  ter  throwin' these  here  keards  enny  more,  gentle- 
men, I  ain't  here  to  assist  gamblin',  but  ter  expose  roguery," 
oaid  the  manipulator,  gathering  up  his  cards  and  returning  them 
to  his  coat  pocket. 

"  Yer  ain't  bettiu',  air  ye?  "  demanded  the  little  man,  flerccp 
with  his  arms  still  thrust  to  his  elbows  into  his  pantaloons. 
Shake  up  yer  keards ;  mebbo  I'll  get  a  chance  ter  git  oven,"  he 
added  in  an  undertone. 

"  Go  on  !  go  on! "  shouted  all  the  cappers  with  one  voice,  to 
which  several  of  the  disinterested  bystanders  added  theirs.  Such 
an  unanimous  appeal  could  not  of  course  be  resisted,  and  the  op- 
erator again  placed  his  cards  on  the  table  and  selected  from  the 
pack  three  new  ones,  and  showing  their  faces  to  the  bystanders 
there  appeared  the  trois  of  clubs,  the  trois  of  spades,  and  a  king 
of  hearts.  He  gave  the  three  cards  a  "Grecian  bend,"  tossed 
them  about  on  the  table  a  few  times,  saying  as  he  did  so : 

"Gentlemen,  the  king  of  hearts  is  thewinnin'  keard;  remem- 
ber that,  gentlemen  I"  then  suddenly  stopping  in  his  work,  he 
made  an  appeal  to  his  auditors  in  the  following  fashion :  "  Gen- 
tlemen, I'm  a  poor  man,  an'  I  hope  yer'll  throw  in  sumthin'  ter 
pay  my  expenses.  I  only  wants  enough,  gentlemen,  ter  pay  my 
way  home;  an'  I  knows  as  how  yer  don't  want  me  ter  work  here 
fur  nuthiu'." 

"  That  there  man's  all  the  winner;  let  Mm  give  yer  sunthin' 
he  km  well  afford  it,"  said  the  diminutive  gentleman,  savagely 
pointing  over  at  the  man  with  the  gold  chain  and  diamond 
studs. 

To  this  gentleman  the  manipulator  novr  turned,  and  in  a  whin- 
mg  voice  asked  him  to  give  him  ten  dollars  to  pay  his  passage. 

"Not  a  cent!"  replied  that  gentleman,  cooUy,  not  in  the 
slightest  degree  moved  by  this  pathetic  appeal.  "  I'm  not  giv- 
ing anything  away  to-night." 


448 


■WAXUEIUNGS  OF  A  V^OABOND. 


"Theu  I'm  clamed  if  I  work  fur  cunybody  fur  nuthins,"  re- 
torted bis  wortiiy  petitioner,  gathering  up  bis  cards. 

"  Go  ou  !  Throw  the  cards,  an'  if  I  win  this  'ere  bet  I'll  pay 
yer  passage,"  sliouted  the  capper  whr)  had  proposed,  to  go  a 
hundred  against  the  well-dressed  gentleman. 

"  And  ril  give  you  all  the  liquor  you  want  to  drink,"  chimed 
ia  the  well-dressed  party ;  •'  and  by  the  way,  I'll  treat  the  crowd 
now,"  ho  added.  "  Hero,  bar-keeper,  come  and  see  what  these 
gentlemen  want." 

The  attentiro  vt  udcr  of  alcoholics  was  immediately  on  hand, 
and  several  of  the  bystanders  drank  at  tho  expense  of  the  gen- 
tleman with  tho  jewelry,  not  forgetting  at  tho  same  time  to  drink 
to  his  success. 

•'I  never  drinks,"  whined  the  sanctimonious  card-thrower  in 
a  voice  of  a  dolorous  pitch,  when  pressed  to  do  so  by  the  gen- 
erous winner.  "An'  I  think  it's  real  mean  an'  stingy  o'  yer  not 
ter  give  mo  a  trifle  for  my  trouble." 

"Well,  if  I  give  to  anybody  I'll  remember  you  first,"  was  the 
answer  ho  received. 

The  mai.ipuiator  having  again  sbuffled  up  his  cards,  spread 
them  on  the  table,  when  there  appeared  upon  the  back  of  one 
of  them  a  little  dark  speck,  scarcely  larger  than  a  small  pin- 
head. 

"Here's  my  himdred!"  cried  the  capper,  flinging  a  roll  of 
bifis  upon  the  table. 

The  party  with  the  jewelry  opened  out  the  roll,  and  having 
found  it  quite  correct,  placed  on  it  the  five  double  eagles,  and 
addressing  his  opponent,  said,  "Pick  out  the  king  o'  hearts  and 
it's  all  youru,  stranger."  The  capper  reached  over  and  turned 
over  a  trois,  and  the  derisive  laughter  of  tho  bystanders  made 
the  boat  ring  again,  and  again  the  well-dressed  party  raked 
down  tho  money. 

Up  to  this  time  none  of  tho  suckers  had  bitten  at  the  bait, 
though  it  seemed  mighty  tempting  to  some  of  them,  and  all  ap- 
peared to  be  enjoying  the  sport  hugely.  Some  of  thtem,  as  the 
cards  were  turned  over  by  the  losers,  expressed  to  each  other 
their  convictions  that  they  could  have  knocked  the  centre  out 
of  the  winning  card  without  fail.  Among  these  latter  was  a 
short,  thick-set  fellow  of  nervous,  restless  temperament,  by  pro- 
fession a  hog-drover,  and  from  Southern  Kentucky.    He  had 


'  *.v 


ir  nufthins,"  re- 
ds. 

'ere  bet  I'll  pay 
foposeiJ.  to  go  a 

drluk,"  chimed 
treat  the  crowd 
I  see  what  these 

Jiately  on  hand, 
!nso  of  the  gen- 
nie  time  to  drink 

card-thrower  in 
)  so  by  the  gen- 
3tiugy  o'  yer  not 

u  first,"  was  the 

lis  cards,  spread 
the  back  of  one 
lan  a  small  pin- 

linging  a  roll  of 

roll,  and  having 
luble  eagles,  and 
ing  o'  hearts  and 
over  and  turned 
bystanders  made 
jsed  party  raked 

itten  at  the  bait, 
hem,  and  all  ap- 
e  of  thtem,  as  the 
ed  to  each  other 
3d  the  centre  out 
lese  latter  was  a 
)erament,  by  pro- 
utucky.    He  had 


THE  noO-DROVEB, 


449 


brought  on  board  at  Smlthland  a  large  number  of  the  poroino 
tribe,  who  were  at  present  accoiniiiodivtod  on  tlio  lower  deck  of 
tile  steamer,  and  with  wliieh  ho  was  on  his  way  to  the  New  Or- 
leans market.     He  did  not  seem  to  reli.sli  tlio  clumsy  way  iix 
which  the  cappers  repeatedly  turned  over  the  wrong  card,  wlieii 
It  seoinod  perfectly  easy  to  him  to  pick  out  the  winner.     ITo 
oven  went  so  far  as  to  admonish  the  second  capper,  when  his 
hand  .was  on  the  trois,  that  that  was  not  the  right  card,  fop 
which  liberty  ho  was  politely  admonished  by  ho  of  tlie  jewelry, 
who  begged  hjn  remember  that  ho  was  not  hazarding  hia 
money  on  tho  united  opinions  of  two  persons.    The  drover  did 
not  seem  to  relish  tho  reprimand  nnicli,  but  held  his  peace, 
nevertheless.    To  this  individual  tho  tall  capper  immediately 
froze.     His  lips  were  constantly  in  the  closest  possible  pro.ximity 
to  his  ear,   where  they  kept  up  a  constant  buzzing,  and  no 
sooner  were  fresh  cards  produced  than  his  evo  lighted  on  tho 
black  speck  on  tho  winner.    Such  a  discovery  his  unselfish 
nature  would  not  permit  himself  alone  to  monopolize ;  ho  at 
onco  imparted  tho  discovery  to  the  drover.     The  manipulator, 
throwing  his  cards  face  upwards  on  tho  table,  in  order  that  all 
may  see  their  faces,  the  astute  capper  makes  Mio  astonishing 
discovery  that  the  card  whoso  back  bears  the  Dlack  speck  is  the 
kiug  of  hearts,  the  winning  card,  and  he  secretly  calls  the  at- 
tention of  his  friend  to  the  coincidence.    The  eyes  of  the  hog- 
man  began  to  expand,  his  body  became  inore  restless  tlian  ever, 
and  had  it  not  been  for  tho  restraining  hand  of  the  capper,  it  is 
hard  to  tell  what  he  might  not  have  done,  or  how  far  his  indis- 
cretion would  have  led  him.    He  had  already  wanied  the  cap- 
per that  ho  was  about  to  turn  over  the  wrong  paper,  and  been 
admonished  by  the  jeweled  gentleman  as  I  have  related,  when 
he  was  pulled  aside  by  the  tall  capper,  who  gave  him  a  good 
buzzing.     On  che  return  of  the  pair  to  the  table,  the  manipula-    • 
tor  was  stirring  about  his  "papers,"  and  crying,  "Two  trois  and 
akmg,  gentlemen;  the  king  is  the  winning  keard,  gentlemen: 
make  yer  bets,"  etc. 

"Two  hundred  dollars!"  said  the  capper  who  had  lost  the 
preceding  bet,  throwing  upon  tho  table  a  roll  of  bills. 

"I'll  bet  a  hundred  on  yer,"  exclaimed  the  little  gentleman 
with  his  hands  in  his  breeches  pockets,  hastily  withdrawing  one 
with  five  more  double  englcs,  which  he  throw  upon  the  tablo 
and  immediately  returned  hii  hand  to  its  former  place. 


-•'^"^•'^"''"'~*r-rri"riirinim»iM^k  \ 


450 


WANDERIVOS  OF  ▲  VAGABOND. 


■  iVi 


<' Who's  to  pick  out  the  card?"  inquired  the  fashionably- 
dressed  worthy. 

"I'm  a  bettin'  on  that  man's  pick,"  rejoined  the  small  raan, 
pointing  to  he  who  had  thrown  down  the  roll  of  bills. 

"All  taken,"  was  the  laconic  reply  of  the  well-dressed  gentle- 
man, laying  down  three  hundred  dollars. 

"  Wei'.,  can't  1 1  t  a  hundred,  too,  on  my  own  pick!"  demand- 
ed the     '"car, 

"As  V  M  /ou  want,'' was  the  reply  of  the  man  of  dia- 
monds. 

The  tali  r;n}n!^.(  .  w  threw  on  the  table  a  hundred  dollar  bill, 
and  withoui.  iioeding  *'  ■  hog-drover,  who  was  plucking  him  by 
the  sleeve  in  an  excitta  i  anner,  for  the  purpose  of  bespeaking 
his  attention  to  some  communication  ho  desired  to  make,  said, 
laying  his  hand  on  the  marked  card,  "This  goes  for  my  money." 

"All  right,"  replied  the  party  taking  the  bets.  "What  card  do 
yon  choose t"  he  inquired,  turning  to  the  other  gentleman;  the 
person  addressed  reached  over  and  put  his  hand  on  what  proved 
to  be  a  trois. 

"Turn  them  over,  gentlemen,"  drawled  he  of  the  diamond 
studs,  lazily.  Both  cards  were  turned  over  at  the  same  instant. 
The  tall  capper  picked  up  his  two  hundred,  and  said,  with  a 
laugh,   "I'm  quite  a  lunatic  at  this  game." 

The  gentleman  who  was  the  loser  of  the  two  hundred  bore  it 
with  the  utmost  nonchalance;  but  not  the  diminutive  gentleman. 
He  could  no  longer  restrain  his  passion.  As  soon  as  he  saw  the 
man  upon  whom  he  had  bet  turn  over  a  trois,  he  brought  his 
fist  down  on  the  table  with  a  force  which  made  everything  ring 
again,  crying  out,  "D— n  the  infernal  thieving  game;  no  gentle- 
man oughter  play  at  it  unless  he  wants  ter  lose  his  money  and 
be  swindled. 

"Didn't  I  tell  yer  'twas  a  thievin'  game?  But  yer  wouldn't 
bleeve  me,"  exclaimed  the  manipulator. 

"I  wish  you  was  in  h— 1  with  it,  before  you  ever  brought  it 
here,"  roared  the  exasperated  little  man. 

"Gentlemen  who  cannot  afford  to  lose  oughn't  to  play,"  said 
the  capper  who  had  lost  two  hundred.  "Mix  yer  cards  ag'in, 
ole  feller,"  he  continued,  addressing  the  manipulator  at  the 
table,  "an'  TU  make  another  flyer."  That  person  did  as  re- 
quested. 


D. 

the  fashionably- 

d  the  small  raan, 
(f  bills. 
Undressed  gentle  • 

1  pick!"  demand- 

the  man  of  dia- 

undred  dollar  bill, 
plucking  him  by 
ose  of  bespeaking 
ed  to  make,  said, 
les  for  my  money." 
;3.  "What  card  do 
r  gentleman;  the 
id  on  what  proved 

a  of  the  diamond 
;  the  same  instant. 
,  and  said,  with  a 

o  hundred  bore  it 
inutive  gentleman. 
3oon  as  he  saw  the 
is,  he  brought  his 
le  everything  ring 
rgame;  no  gentle- 
)se  his  money  and 

But  yer  wouldn't 

lU  ever  brought  it 

;hn't  to  play,"  said 
ix  yer  cards  ag'in, 
lanipulator  at  the 
person  did  as  re> 


THE  noo-DRontR. 


451 


The  tall  capper  and  the  hog-man  here  appeared  to  have  a 
little  "unpleasantness,"  the  latter  feeling  somewhat  aggrieved 
..hat  he  had  not  had  a  chance  offered  to  bet  in  with  the  other 
when  he  won  the  hundred  dollars. 

"Why  didn't  yer  say  so  at  the  start,  an'  I'd  a'  let  yer  in  with 
it  in  a  mmute,"  the  tall  capper  would  say. 

"I  tried  ter  speak  ter  yer,  but  yer  wouldn't  hear  me,"  the 
hog-fancier  would  reply.  He  was,  however,  soon  pacified  by  his 
lengthy  friend,  who  took  him  one  side  and  held  a  short  consult- 
ation with  him,  when  both  returned  in  great  anxiety  to  the 
table,  where  the  manipulator  was  again  laying  out  his  cards 

'Shuffle  'em  again,  Mister,"  cried  the  tall  capper.  The  man 
complied  with  his  request,  and  then  tossed  the  cards  face  up- 
wards upon  the  table,  saying  (at  the  same  time  pointing  at  the 
kiug  of  hearts),  "  That's  the  winning  card.  Remember,  gentle- 
men,"  he  would  repeat,  as  ho  turned  it  about  in  his  fingers,  in 
order  that  the  victim  might  see  distinctly  that  the  card  with  the 
black  speck  was  the  king  of  hearts.  Having  mixed  them  to  his 
satisfaction,  he  laid  the  three  cards  side  by  side,  crying  "AH 
ready,  gentlemen,  make  yer  bets."  There  was  the  round  black 
speck  on  the  back  of  the  king  of  hearts,  aa  prominent  to  the  eyes 
of  the  drover  as  a  blazing  star. 

"Let's  try  'im  with  a  flyer  of  five  hundred,"  said  the  tall  can- 
per  to  his  "gull."  ^ 

"  I'm  thar,"  responded  the  drover,  going  to  the  inside  pocket 
of  his  coat,  from  whence  he  produced  a  large  leathern  pocket- 
book  and  took  from  its  contents  $850,  while  the  tall  capper  pro- 
duced $250  more  to  put  with  it. 

"  Size  up  ter  that  if  yer  want  ter  sport !"  said  that  worthy  to 
the  well-dressed  gentleman. 

"It's  your  next  play,"  responded  the  individual  addressed, 
covering  the  money. 

"  Up  with  it,  my  boy!"  said  the  tall  capper,  slapping  the  drover 
on  the  back  with  his  hands.  The  latter  reached  eagerly  forward 
and  raised  the  card  bearing  the  speck,  and  on  turning  it  up  to 
his  astonished  gaze,  its  face  found  it  to  be  the  trois  of  clubs  in- 
stead of  the  confidently  expected  "king  of  hearts." 

"Wliat  theh— I  hev  yer  donef"  demanded  the  tall  raipper; 
"ye've  throwed  me  oflF!  I  know  all  about  it  J" 

The  drover  was  by  far  too  stupefied  to  have  mndo  him  any  re- 


4.-3 


TVANDKUIVCS  OF  A  VAOABOND, 


ply,  ami  made  no  rcaiatancp  when  the  tall  capper  led  him  from 
the  crowd  and  wahied  out  to  the  ^jiiards  of  the  hoat. 

Anxious  to  learn  the  next  I'.mNe,  I  eiuitioiisly  foMowed  the  pro- 
clous  pair,  and  overhauUd  tiiein  Htaudiiij,'  near  one  of  the  cliiiii- 
nies,  and  the  noise  made  hy  the  machinery  of  the  boat,  together 
with  the  pitchy  darUiii'ss  of  the  ui-lit,  eiiahled  lue  to  '^vi  within 
hearing  distance  without  heiuy,-  ohservt'd  by  them.  I  was  just  in 
time  to  hoar  tho  excited  voi(;o  of  tho  hojj-drovor  assorting,  "I 
tell  yor  I  warn't  mistaken !  It  was  that  ciird  had  tho  speck  on 't." 

"No!  no!  no!  You  were  so  d— n  skeered  you  didn't  know 
what  yor  were  about  "  said  the  capper,  in  a  cold,  calm  tone. 

"  But  I  tell  yor  I  warn't  mistaken !  Couldn't  bo !"  reiterated 
his  friend. 

"You  think  you  warn't,  but  yer  was;  mistaken  enough  tor 
throw  mo  ofif  fur  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  it  served  mo 
right,  too,  fur  not  turning  over  tho  kcard  mysolf." 

"  But  I  couIdnH  bo  mistaken,"  persisted  the  drover. 

"Oh, yor  made  a  bungle  of  it,  that's  what's  tho  matter  ;  but  It's 
no  use  cryin'  for  tho  money.    I'm  golu'  tor  get  mine  back." 

"  But  how  1" 

"Ef  you  dnsn't  want  nothin'  ter  da  with  it  I'll  take  It  all 
mysolf;  l)ut  if  yer'U  dn  what  I  want,  we'll  make  all  tho  money 
we  want  in  there." 

"How  I"  again  queried  his  friend. 

"  I  guess  p'r'aps  you  don't  want  nuthln'  ter  du  with  It;  so  I'll 
jest  go  it  alone,"  said  tho  capper,  raising  his  voice  to  a  higher 
pitch  than  usual. 

"I'm  yer  man!  Go  In!  I'm  with  yer!"  exclaimed  the  drover, 

excitedly. 

"  I'm  afeard  If  I  trust  you  you'll  make  another  bungle  on  't, 
though  I  don't  see  how  you  can  do  it,  very  well." 

"  Bet  yer  life  I  won't  make  no  more  mistakes." 

"Well  then,  you  do  as  I  tell  yer,  an'  we'll  break  that  feller  in 
there,  cos  he  11  lose  every  dollar,  an'  them  dimous  too,  of  we  kin 
beat  'im." 

"  Go  In!  I'm  with  yer!"  reiterated  tho  bold  hog-raan. 

"  Well,  that's  settled,  now  to  business.  That  there  feller  that 
throws  ther  car  Is  allers  lifts  'em  high  up  frum  tho  tabic  when  he 
gives  'em  tho  last  shuffle.  I  noticed  It  two  or  three  times,  an' 
come  near  gettin'  behind  'im  on  purpose,  but  I'm  too  big  fur  such 


ti 
b 


u 
sr 
ai 

D1 

tc 
hi 
nc 
di 
Ji 
la 
A 
ar 
st< 
th 
wi 
Tl 
de 

W( 

it 
an 

K" 
to 
mi 
no 

re] 


Br  led  him  from 

lOilt. 

ollowcd  the  pro- 
uno  of  the  cliiiii- 
10  boat,  together 
1110  to  t^ct  withhi 
II.  I  was  just  in 
I'or  assortuiK,  "  I 

the  speck  oil 't." 
you  didn't  know 
I,  calm  tone. 

bo!"  reiterated 

akon  enough  tor 

and  it  served  mo 

If." 

Irover. 

I  matter ;  but  it's 

nine  back." 

t  I'll   take  it  all 
ko  all  the  money 


uwith  it  J  so  I'll 
•oice  to  a  higher 

imed  the  drover, 

;her  bungle  on  't, 

j» 

(." 

eak  that  feller  In 

)U8  too,  ef  we  kin 

log-raan. 
t  there  feller  that 
the  table  when  he 
r  three  times,  an' 
n  too  big  fur  such 


THK  KOG-JJKOVBR. 


458 


kinder  work,  an'  they'd  catoh  mo  at  it,  and  that  'd  spoil  every- 
thing.  N(.w  you're  josi  tlio  riglit  size  to  work  that  way,  an' 
Willie  you're  squattin' down  tor  get  a  iicop,  I'll  talk  ter  tliom 
fellers  aoiosa  the  table,  and  keep  ihoir  attention  otV  vou.  Dy'o 
tliiiik  ycr  can  keep  cool  enough  ter  work  tliis  business  ?" 
"  Hot  yer  life  on  't  I"  ioi»lied  the  man  of  hogs,  oiitliusiastically. 
"Efyordu  we'll  Hlaugiitcr  that  follor  riglit  thiirot  I'll  break 
'ira  the  miiiutf!  yor  give  mo  the  sign.'' 

"  I'll  give  it  ter  yor  all  right,  jost  as  true  as  ye  sees  them  there 
trees  on  that  bank  I"  said  tlio  redoubtable  liog-fanoier,  waving 
his  hands  towards  the  vegetable  matter  in  (piostioii. 

"  Then  ymi  go  right  in  now,  an'  I'll  come  diioctly.  We  mustn't 
give  them  fellers  a  chance  to  susjx'ct  anytiiiiiH-." 

The  table  was  sliii  smroiiiKlod,  and  the  cappers  were  keeping 
up  a  lively  betting  among  tiiemsolvos  when  I  returned  to  the 
saloon.    The  operator  had  clianged  his  cards  for  fresh  ones, 
and  was  now  manipulating  two  black  (Ives  and  a  Jack  of  dia- 
monds; not  a  spccK  was  to  be  seen  on  their  backs.     The  drover 
took  up  his  position  behind  the  card-thrower,  who  was  throwing 
his  "papers"  lively  now,  and  singing  out  liriskiy,  "  rhcro  kin  be 
no  mistake,  gentlemen  ;  there's  two  black  fives  and  the  Jack  of 
diamonds;  ef  you  lift  it,  ger.tlemen,  you'll  win.    A  red  Jack!    The 
Jack  o'  diments,  gentlemen,  remember  that!   Here  we  go  fur  the 
la.sttimo!   Keep  yer  eyes  on  the  keards,  ^'cntlcmen.   All  said!" 
At  the  close  of  this  preamble,  he  moved  his  cards  very  slowly, 
and  lifted  them  four  or  Ave  in(?lies  above  the  table,  so  that  the 
stooping  hog-    over  had  no  di(}iculty  in  seeing  the  faces  of  all  of 
them,  more  especially  the  Jack  of  diamor.ds,  uliich  he  followed 
with  his  eye  until  ho  saw  it  placed  between  the  two  other  cards. 
There  it  was,  as  surely  as  his  own  hogs  wore  grunting  on  the 
deck  below.      As  he  arose    from  his    stooping    position,   his 
weather-beaten  face  was  blanched  to  a  deadly  pallor.    Ho  turned 
it  toward   the  tall  capper,  who  was  attentively  watching  him, 
and  made  a  significant  sign,  as  much  as  to  sav,  -'All  right."  "  I'll 
go  you  five  luindred  dollars  this  time,"  bawled  out  that  worthy 
to  the  well-dressed  man,  who  was  at  that  instant  deeply  im- 
mersed in  calculating  the  amount  of  money  before  him,  and  took 
no  heed  of  the  offer. 

"Say,  mister,  dy'e  hear?    T'll  gd  yer  five  hundred  dollars," 
repeated  the  tall  capper. 


WANDKRINU8  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


"I  Hhau't  bet  any  more  to  night,"  was  the  reply  of  that  gen- 
tleman, who  now  gathered  up  IUh  money  and  appeared  to  be 
about  to  leave  the  tabic. 

"Oh,  give  U8  a  chance — yoi-.'re  winner  of  us!"  said  the  tall  cap- 
per, in  a  half-imploring  manner. 

"What  I've  won  is  mine,  and  I've  aright  to  do  as  1  please 
with  it,"  replied  the  porstm  thus  appealed  to,  putting  his  money 
in  his  pocket  and  turning  away  from  the  table. 

"Why,  in  course  it's  yourn,  d— n  it!  Who  don't  know  that! 
But  give  a  feller  a  chance,  won't  yerf  Don't  git  skeered  'cause 
yer'vo  won  a  few  dollars." 

This  was  too  much  for  the  fashionably-dresspd  worthy. 
"Scared!  scared!"  he  repeated.  "That's  a  nice  way  to  talk  to  a 
man  because  he's  won  yer  money.  There's  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars that  says  yer  can't  pick  up  the  Jack!"  ho  exclaimed,  pulPng 
from  his  pockets  the  gold  and  roll  of  bank-notes,  and  throwing 
them  upon  the  table. 

"I  ain't  got  that  much  money,"  said  the  tall  capper,  "but  I'll 
go  yer  five  hundred.    Come,  what  d'yer  say  f  " 

"No,  sir,  I'm  too  'beared'  to  bet  less  than  twelve  hundred;  so 
put  up  or  shut  up." 

"  How  much  money  hev  yer  gotf "  inquired  the  tall  capper,  in 
an  undertone,  of  his  friend  the  drover.  The  latter  again  con- 
sulted his  large  leathern  pocket-book,  and  dre  -'.  forth  from  its 
recesses  three  hundred  dollars  more,  which  he  handed  to  his 
flriend. 

"Here's  eight  hundred  dollars;  we'll  go  yer  that.  Mister,"  said 
the  tall  capper,  flinging  upon  the  table  the  five  hundred  dollars 
he  held  in  his  hand  and  the  three  hundred  given  him  by  his 
iViend. 

•'  Twelve  hundred  dollars  goes,  not  a  cent  less!"  was  the  inex- 
orable reply. 

"See  ef  yer  ain't  got  some  more  money,"  whispered  the  tall 
capper  to  his  dupe.  Again  the  drover  drew  forth  the  volumin- 
ous pocket-book,  and  prospected  its  interior,  amid  the  hushed 
voices  of  the  ring  of  spectators,  who  were  now  wrought  up  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  excitement.  He  produced  from  thence  two 
hundred  dollars  more,  which  he  handed  his  tempter,  saying, 
"That's  wiped  her  out  clean  as  a  rifle." 
"Ill  go  a  hundred  ef  ennybuddy  else  11  go  t'other,"  cried  the 


s 
c 

V 

<] 

G 
t, 

b 
n 
o 


in 
a 
dc 
P« 

en 

801 

to 
po 
to 


ID. 

reply  of  that  gen- 
(l  appeared  to  bo 

"  said  tho  tall  cap- 
to  do  as  I  please 
putting  his  money 

)  don't  know  thatt 
git  skecred  'cause 

ly-drcssod  worthy. 
CO  way  to  talk  to  a 
(velvo  hundred  dol- 

I  exclaimed,  pulling 
)te8,  and  tlnowmg 

II  capper,  "but  I'll 

;welve  hundred;  so 

[  the  tall  capper,  in 
3  latter  again  con- 
Ire -'.forth  from  Its 
1  he  handed  to  his 

r  that,  Mister,"  said 
,ve  hundred  dollars 
1  given  him  by  his 

less!"  was  the  inex- 

whispered  the  tall 
forth  the  volumin- 
ir,  amid  the  hushed 
now  wrought  up  to 
;ed  from  thenco  two 
lis  tempter,  saying, 

}  t'other,"  cried  tho 


THK   UOU-UUOVEK. 


455 


diminutive  capper,  producing  n„,„  i.is  brocchcH  pockets  flvn 

twenties  in  gold,  and  laying  then,  on  the  table         '  ^  " 

"Well,  its  worth  a  Im.uhvd  to  see  this  here  bet  come  off" 

«ad^-r^^rs;r£'rsi:^rir^^^ 

covili  I'."""'"'"  'T''""'  '^''  """''^'y'  ""••«'»lly  cou"ntinff  and 
covering  the  several  wagers,  at  tho  same  time  taking  caro  to 

Wirt  h^';;"";"'.^'"""  '^''^"'^  •■^"'"''  '^'■'«'-  ''^^^'^  ^o  sungout? 

n   ,!  f'f '  '-•»"'Po«'«re.  "Tho  game  is  made!  I{oll!" 
Pick  it  up,"  said  the  tall  capper  to  the  man  of  Loirs. 
With  a  hand  shivering  like  an  aspen-leaf,  tho  dr..,  or  niaced 
his  hand  UTe,so;,teIy  upon  tho  n.i.hllo  card.     Light  as  it     as  it 

bo  tho  Jack  as  much  as  ho  believed  in  the  fact  of  his  own  exist- 

la.d  there,  and  no  mortal  band  bad  since  touched  it!  Then  wlrv 
should  ho  treu.blesof  Couainly  not  from  any  sense  of  g^lS 
conviction  that  he  was  committing  a  fraud!  No  indeml'  timt 
was  the  last  thing  to  trouble  him.  -Twas  an  In  otpl  in2 
dread  ot  losing  the  money  he  had  at  stake.    The   mhffu   s 

tTe^At'^sShtt'T'  '^''- /-^ '--^.v  f-o  u,si:::;!rl:t 

table.  At  its  sight  he  changed  from  the  semblance  of  a  hiun.... 
being  to  that  of  a  lifeless  corpse.  He  stood  perfect  -  tupid  a  d 
neither  saw  the  few  looks  of  pity  directed  towards  i.imEvo  no 
of  the  passengers,  nor  heard  tho  derisive  jeers  and  boisterous 
shou^ts  of  laughter  with  which  tho  crowd  ireeted  hisTscom! 

The  manipulator  hastily  gathered  up  his  cards  and  put  them 
in  his  pocket     The  game  was  closed.    The  boat  shortly  S 
a  land  ng  to  take  m  wood,  and  when  we  were  onco  more  Lvin^ 
down  the  stream,  the  card-thrower  and  his  cappera  Jad  dJ^D 
peared  from  our  midst.  '^I'v^m  uaa  aisap- 

em^tl'JTl  ih"''  ''*'•  "^  '''"^^*  '^^  hog-drover  is  the  laat  ruse 
employed  by  the  manipulator  and  his  cappers,  and  is  seldom  re- 
sorted to,  unless  the  boat  on  which  they  are  operating  is  about 

^l:T:^Tr''  7'^  r-'^™"^^'^^'^  concealed  fn  hist 
STthn       r  u   'P*''''-    •'"'*  P™^«"«  t«  Pi^inff  his  last  toss 
to  the  cards,  he  palms  this  fivr  in  his  left  hand,  and  hoMing  U 


■  --wi^jj*-'! .i,w;  ^^ 


ffi"'""' "" 

■ 


45G 


WANDElirSGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


there,  moves  the  carda  on  the  tablo  with  his  right,  lifting 
them  up  so  that  the  dupe  may  plainly  see  their  faces;  and  hav- 
ing done  this,  his  left  hand  lightly  touches  the  cards,  as  if  ar- 
ranging them  in  the«r  places.  While  doing  this,  quick  as 
thought,  he  has  pahnea  up  the  Jack,  or  winning  card,  and  de- 
posited in  its  place  the  five  of  spades,  or  whatever  card  he  has 
in  his  left  hand.  It's  the  old  tale  of  "the  biter  bit,"  or  diamond 
cut  diamond. 

The  Log  merchant,  who  was  a  fussy,  forward,  ana  contradic- 
tory fellow  found  on  the  steamer  but  few  sympathizers,  as  in 
fact  i.3oplc  who  lose  their  cash  at  three-card  monte  seldom  do. 
On  the  di'y  before  we  reached  New  Orleans  I  drew  him  into 
conversatio:^.  with  a  deairo  of  ascertaining  his  sentiments  on  the 
subject  of  three  cards. 

At  first  he  did  not  seem  to  be  very  communicative  on  the  sub- 
ject ;  but  when  I  persisted  in  forcing  the  fact  on  his  notice  that 
the  guesser  had  the  best  of  the  game,  it  finally  aroused  his  ire, 
and  turning  to  me  savagely,  he  demanded,  in  a  sneering  tone, 
"If  them's  your  sentmients,  why  the  h— 1  don't  yer  foller  arter 

that  game  ?  " 

"Because  I'm  not  engaged  in  that  kind  of  business  at  pres- 
ent," I  mildly  replied. 

"Look  a  here,  stranger,"  he  ejaculated,  "  I'd  like  to  ax  yer  a 

question." 
•  "You  can  do  so,  wi^'a  pleasure,"  I  rejoined. 

"  S'pose,  then,  I  had  three  state-rooms  in  that  there  cabin,  an' 
I  puts  a  nigger  inter  one  and  two  white  men  inter  t'other  tew, 
without  yer  seein'  me  dew  it,  mind,  would  yer  go  yer  money  on  't 
yer  could  pick  ou t  the  room  where  ther  nigger  was ?" 

"Well,"  I  replied,  drawling  out  my  words  and  looking  him 
straight  in  the  eye,  "if  the  day  was  hot,  an.l  my  nose  was  in 
good  order,  and  I  liad  the  privilege  of  smelling  at  the  door  of 
each  state-room  as  long  as  you  were  peeping  under  that  fellow  s 
cards  the  other  night,  I  don't  think  I  could  make  a  worse  blunder 
in  finding  the  room  containing  the  nigger,  than  you  did  in  find- 
ing that  Jack  of  diamonds." 

His  face  reddened  up  instantly.  He  evidently  thought  no  one 
on  board  was  avare  of  his  little  game.  "  You  were  watching  me, 
then  ?  "  he  said,  with  a  forced  laugh. 

"Yes,  indeed !  and  it  didn't  look  exactly  the  clean  thing  in  yon 


^ 


lABOND. 

with  his  right,  lifting 
!e  their  faces;  and  hav- 
hes  the  cards,  as  if  ar- 
doing  this,  quicli  aa 
;•  winning  card,  and  do- 
ir  whatever  card  he  has 
10  biter  bit,"  or  diamond 

forward,  ana  contradic- 
few  sympathizers,  as  hi 
-card  monte  seldom  do. 
irleaus  I  drew  hira  into 
ng  his  sentiments  on  tlio 

mmunicative  on  the  sub- 
le  fact  on  his  notice  that 
it  finally  aroused  his  ire, 
ided,  in  a  sneering  tone, 
I— 1  don't  yer  foller  arter 

kind  of  business  at  pres- 

3d,  "  I'd  like  to  ax  yer  a 

oined. 

Qs  in  that  there  cabin,  an' 
to  men  inter  t'other  tew, 
lid  yer  go  yer  money  on  't 
•  nigger  was  ? " 
words  and  looking  him 
hot,  and  my  nose  was  in 
if  smelling  at  the  door  of 
3eping  under  that  fellow's 
)uld  make  a  worse  blunder 
ger,  than  you  did  in  find- 

1  evidently  thought  no  one 
"You  were  watching  me, 

ictly  the  clean  thing  in  you 


THE  HOa-DROVER. 


467 


to  take  advantage  of  a  party  of  gentlemen  in  that  underhand 
manner ! " 

"  Gentlemen,  h-1 !  They're  nothing  but  a  pack  o'  thieves  • " 
he  retorted,  fiercely. 

"  But  how  came  you  to  make  such  a  mistake  f  Didn't  you  see 
the  Jack  of  diamonds  when  you  stooped  down  t " 

"Yes ! "  ho  answered,  emphatically,  "and  the  other  two  fives 
as  plain  es  I  see  you  now." 

"  I  see !  I  see ! "  I  said.  "  You  got  frightened  and  picked  up  the 
wrong  card.  Well,  I  don't  much  wonder  at  it,"  I  resumed ;  "  it's 
but  natural  for  one  to  be  thrown  off  his  feet  when  ho  feels 
he's  doing  a  dishonest  action." 

The  fury  of  hell  was  depicted  upon  his  scowling  countenance 
on  which  symptoms  of  danger  to  myself  were  plainly  depicted  J 
but  I  continued  in  the  same  cold,  calm  tone,  without"  noticing 
the  change  iu  his  features:  "  I  should  have  turned  up  those  t^^o 
other  cards  to  find  out  whether  the  Jack  of  diamonds  was  amou"' 
them  at  all."  " 

"Look  here,  stranger,  what  air  ye  drivin' at?  Don't  I  tell 
yer  I  seen  all  the  keards  f  Yer  don't  think  I'm  such  a  fool  I 
can't  see,  do  yer?" 

"Don't  fly  into  a  passion,  my  dear  sir;  we're  all  liable  to  be 
fooled  sometimes.  Now  you  picked  up  what  you  thought  was 
the  Jack  of  diamonds,  because  you  plainly  saw  the  face  of  the 
card  when  that  fellow  was  so  accommodating  as  to  hold  it  up  on 
purpose  that  you  should  see  it.  You  watched  him  lay  the  card 
down  on  the  table,  and  knew  where  it  was  laid  exactly,  and  was 
satisfied  to  bet  on  that  information  several  hundred  dollars.  Is 
that  so?"  He  nodded  assent.  "Well,  then,"  I  continued,  "you 
picked  up  the  card,  and  it  was  not  the  Jack  of  diamonds,  eh?" 

"What  then?"  he  calmly  asked. 

"Oh,  nothing!  only  if  you'd  turned  over  the  other  two  cards 
you'd  have  known  whether  the  Jack  of  diamonds  was  among 
them,  on  the  table,  or  in  the  pocket  of  ihat  fellow  who  was 
throwing  the  cards,  that's  all ! " 

He  gazed  at  me  for  a  moment  in  speechless  astonishment,  as 
if  a  sudden  flash  of  light  had  revealed  to  his  brain  a  hidden  mys- 
tery, and  finally  stammered  out,  "  Stranger,  I  allers  suspected 
there  was  sumthin'  dark  about  that  there  Jack  o'diminds! 
Them  fellers  robbed  me,  sure  !    Didn't  they,  now?" 


458 


AVANDERINGS  OF   A  VAGABOND. 


"  I  dout  know,  perhaps  so,"  I  at-jented. 

"  Who  was  that  there  feller  't  throwed  thorn  keards  f  " 

"I  don't  know,"  I  replied.    "  I  never  saw  him  before." 

"D'ye  think  he  was  consarned  with  them  other  fellers,  now?" 

"They  al:  left  the  boat  at  the  wood-pile,"  was  my  reply. 

"Theyrobbedmo,  sartain  sure.  I  sees  it  all  now  I  Let  me 
clap  my  eye  on  one  o'  'em  again,"  he  ejaculated,  shaking  his 
head  and  gritting  his  teeth. 

"Why,  what  will  you  do  to  them?'' 

"I'll  make  'em  wish  they'd  never  seed  me,  nor  yet  my  money," 
he  replied,  with  a  terrible  oato 

"You'd much  better  leave  ti.em  alone,"  I  replied.  "Every 
one  of  them  had  revolvers  or  bow'-,  uives  buckled  about  their 
persons,  and  it  is  nothing  but  fun  for  them  to  put  a  hole  in  a 
man." 

"  I'll  make  'em  eat  their  pistols  and  bowie-knives  ef  I  gi^ta  my 
claws  on  'em,"  he  exclaimed,  casting  on  me  a  threateniujf  look, 
with  which  threat  he  separated  himself  from  me,  and  neve  r  agaiu 
noticed  me  either  by  word  or  look,  while  on  the  steamer  together. 


CHAPTER   XXXVII. 

MOBILE. 

A  very  short  sojourn  in  New  Orleans  convinced  me  that  it  was 
no  place  of  residence  for  a  professional  gambler,  unless  he  were 
a  native-born  Creole,  and  Uved  in  the  first  municipality,  and 
even  then  it  was  requisite,  in  order  to  be  able  to  run  a  gambliug- 
room  on  the  sly,  that  one  should  have  sufiBcient  political  Influ- 
ence to  protect  him  from  poUce  intrusion.  Besides  this  danger, 
he  was  in  constant  peril  from  the  swarm  of  informers  prowling 
around  in  various  disguises,  ready  to  make  five  hundred  dollars 
by  causing  the  conviction  of  any  gambler  whom  they  could  de- 
tect dealing  a  banking-game ;  the  said  amount  being  one  moiety 
of  the  sum  of  which  any  person  guilty  of  such  an  enormity  was 
mulcted  on  his  first  ofifense.  He  who  had  the  temerity  to  repeat 
the  action  was  obliged  to  disburse  five  thousand  dollars,  and  if 
he  still  hankered  after  "tigers"  and  kindred  devices  of  the  ad- 


I 
] 
I 

B 
C 

t 

k 
d 
e 

V 

e 
f< 
c; 
a 

P 
e( 

ai 
di 
ui 

fa 
la 
Pl 


ID. 

1  keards  f  " 

lim  before." 

ther  fellers,  now?" 

vas  my  reply. 

all  now  I    Let  me 

lated,  shakiDg  his 


lor  yet  ray  money," 

replied.  "  Every 
ickled  about  their 
to  put  a  hole  iu  a 

inives  ef  I  gt^ta  my 
I  threateniujf  look, 
oe,  and  never  again 
0  steamer  together. 


jdOBlhE. 


45!) 


iced  me  that  it  was 
ler,  unless  he  were 
I  municipality,  and 
» to  run  a  gambling- 
lent  political  influ- 
iesides  this  danger, 
informers  prowling 
ive  hundred  dollars 
hom  they  could  de- 
Qt  being  one  moiety 
;h  an  enormity  was 
I  temerity  to  repeat 
sand  dollars,  and  if 
devices  of  the  ad- 


versary, he  was  accommodated  with  a  domicile  at  the  expense 
of  the  State,  for  a  period  of  two  years,  which  was  supposed  to  bo 
a  sovereign  cure  for  such  hallucinations.  Under  this  law,  princi- 
pals and  their  players  were  equally  liable. 

No  person  of  sane  mind,  having  the  slightest  respect  for  his 
money  or  his  person,  would  dream  of  opening  a  banking-gamo 
of  any  kind  m  the  American  quarter  of  the  city.  Gamblers 
livmg  m  the  place  had  two  or  threo  rooms  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
fet.  Charles  Hotel,  where  the  votaries  of  ci-ance  met,  to  amuse 
themselves  at^he  green  tables  with  short  games,  such  not  bei," 
proscribed  by  law.  =" 

Snaps  of  lixro  were  sometimes  opened  at  these  meetings;  the 
members  being  assured  that  no  -black  sheep"  were  present, 
tven  then  the  greatest  precaution  was  exercised,  and  ovcrv 
person  present  was  obliged  to  make  a  bet  at  the  game,  even 
should  his  stake  be  only  a  picayaune,  in  order  that  no  membor 
of  the  company  might  be  dragged  to  court,  and  there  compelled 
to  assist  in  the  conviction  of  his  neighbor.    Precautions  of  this 
kind  were  not  always  a  safeguard,  however;  the  five  hundred 
dollar  bribe  was  very  tempting,  and  caused  manv  to  turn  inform- 
er; while  the  police  had  constantly  their  spies  upon  the  trail 
who  were  no  respecters  of  persons,  nor  of  doors  either,  when- 
ever they  suspected  a  banking-game  of  any  sort  to  be  going 
forward.    Many  faro-dealing  gamblers  were,  through  the  agen- 
cy of  spies,  seized,  with  their  players,  by  the  officers  of  the  law, 
and  dragged  before  the  courts,  where  they  were  compelled  to 
pay  over  one  thousand  dollars  each,  before  they  could  get  releas- 
ed from  "durance  vile."    Several  persons,  unable  to  raise  this 
amount,  were  rusticating  in  the  parish  prison,  where  thev  were 
doomed  to  remain  one  year,  to  expiate  their  crimes,  if  they  were 
unable  "to  raise  the  wind."  ^j-  voiu 

The  glowing  description  which  was  given  me,  of  the  gamblin'^ 
facilities  of  Mobile,  and  the  immense  amount  of  money  in  circu" 
lation  in  that  city,  induced  me  to  take  a  lake-boat  and  visit  that 
place. 

With  the  exception  of  New  Orleans  and  Havana,  there  was  no 
commercial  mart  r    the  Gulf  of  Mexico  as  thriving  as  Mobile 
when  I  first  visited  the  place,  and  I  doubt  if  there  could  have 
been  found  on  the  face  of  the  globe,  a  place  with  even  five  times 
Its  population,  where  crime,  debauchery,  and  lawlessness  of 


460  WA2JDEBING8  OF  A  VAUABONU. 

every  description,  reigned  rampant  to  such  a  fearful  extent. 
The  local  population  numbered  about  thirty  thousand  souls,  of 
whom  more  than  half  were  negroes.  In  addition  to  these  Jt 
had  every  winter,  a  transient  population  of  about  tho  same  num- 
ber'  consisting  of  strangers,  merchants  from  tho  interior  of  the 
country,  foreign  merchants,  sailors  'longshoremen,  and  steam- 
boat-men, from  Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  who  vera 
engaged  in  bringing  cotton  and  other  produce  from  the  mtenor 
of  the  State  by  the  several  navigable  streams  which  empty  into 

Mobile  Bav,  to  the  city.  ,         .,  ^f 

In  the  winter  season  tho  place  supported  two  theatres,  one  of 
^hich  was  under  the  direction  of  Smith  &  Ludlow,  and  tlie 
drama  was  there  aa  well  represented  as  m  any  of  the  tbeat  es 
of  our  Atlantic  cities.  The  godly  were  in  force,  too,  m  Mobile, 
if  one  miglit  venture  to  judge  from  the  numerous  luuulsome 
churches  which  adorned  the  place.  The  harbor  was  a  busy 
Bcene  of  commerce  and  action,  crowded  with  vessels  and  hips 
of  f^very  possible  description,  while  from  their  masts  iioa  ed  the 
flags  of  nearlv  every  nation  on  earth.  Lying  at  f  e  wlu^rves, 
either  loading  or  unloading,  crowded  with  cotton  and  other  mer- 
chandise, were  scores  of  river  steamers,  lake  steamers,  coasting 
vessels,  and  various  sorts  of  smaller  water-craft. 

The  stranger  could  see  without  difficulty,  even  on  his  first  visit 
to  the  place,  that  the  godless  were  there  greatly  m  the  a^c.n- 
dency.  In  nearly  every  single  buiMing  along  the  street  facing  tie 
river,  and  also  in  many  of  those  in  the  feets  leading  do^  i.   o 
the  river,  could  bo  found  a  liquor-shop  of  one  kind  or  anotbr'.. 
In  many  of  these  places  were  played  heavy  percent:'       game^:, 
like  chuck,  rondo,  craps,  and  similar  institfttions,  plar.  y  expo  >- 
ed  to  the  public  view.    Located  eent.ally  In  the  c.ty,  and  m  i  3 
most  business  part,  was  a  bloO         rick  ^f  ^"S^'.^i^^'J'i,,^^,^ 
.'Shakespeare's  Row."    It  w...  buiit    -^mewhat  m  the  bpanish 
Btyle,  having  on  t...  inside  a  inr^ro    .„rt-yard   ^)^^^J^\'^. 
tered  by  two  arched  gateways  ivom  tho  opposite  streets.     Ihis 
court-yard  contained  twenty-eight  rooms.    Those  on  tlie  second 
and  third  stories  were  surrounded  with  an  enclosed  piazza, 
which  ran  around  the  four  sides  of  the  building,  and  which  were 
reached  from  the  court-yard  by  different  stairways.    Every  one 
of  these  rooms  was  occupied  for  gambling  purposes,  the  on  y 
banking-games  played  there  being  roulette  and  faro,  and  only 


a  fearful  extent, 
housaud  souls,  of 
iitiou  to  these  it 
)ut  thfj  same  num- 
ho  interior  of  the 
emen,  and  steain- 
ouisville,  who  were 

from  the  interior 
which  empty  into 

wo  theatres,  one  of 
Ludlow,  and  the 
ny  of  the  theatres 
rce,  too,  in  Mobile, 
unerous  handsome 
larbor  was  a  busy 
I  vessels  and  ships 
r  masts  floated  the 
as  at  the  wharves, 
;ton  and  other  nior- 
steamers,  coasting 
•aft. 

sven  on  his  first  visit 
■eatly  in  the  ascen- 
the  street  facing  the 
sets  leading  do.sr;  to 
le  kind  or  anothr':. 
percent?       j."aracs 
tions,  plai;  y  expoy- 
the  city,  and  in  its 
mildings,  called  the 
rhat  in  the  Spanish 
•ard,  which  was  en- 
posite  streets.     This 
Those  on  the  second 
an  enclosed  piazza, 
iing,  and  which  were 
;airway8.     Every  one 
y  puriwscs,  the  only 
e  and  faro,  and  only 


MODILE.  461 

persons  of  gentlemanly  exterior  Iwing  allowed  tb-^re,  and  the 
unclean  and  disorderly  excluded  without  remorse.  The  gamb- 
ling was  conducted  by  the  better  class  of  gamblers,  with  the 
utmost  fairness,  even  a  heavy  percentage  game  not  being  tolera- 
ted in  the  rooms.  The  faro-banks  dealt  in  the  different  rooms 
had  different  limits,  but  they  usually  ranged  from  twelve  dollars 
and  a  half,  and  fifty,  to  that  of  one  hundred  with  a  paroli  to  eight 
hundred.  The  roulette- wheels  were  usually  limited  proportion- 
ably  to  tho  faro  games — the  largest  given  being  twenty-five 
dollars  on  a  bar  or  single  figure,  and  seven  hundred  dollars  oa 
the  colors,  each  person  betting  having  the  privilege  of  wager- 
ing the  amount  mentioned,  at  pleasure. 

While  those  portions  of  the  Shakcsperian  row  which  faced  on 
either  street  were  occupied  by  mercantile  offices,  banks,  jewel- 
ry stores,  tailoring  establishments,  money  brokers,  coffee-houses, 
billiard  saloons,  and  restaurants,  its  court-yard  was  one  vast 
gambling-hell,  the  resort,  of  evenings,  of  persons  moving  i.i  the 
difTorent  upper  walks  of  life;  and  from  early  candle-light  till  the 
break  of  day,  the  rattling  of  faro-checks  and  the  spinning  of 
roulette- wheels  could  be  heard  without  cessation.  Besides  the 
many  in  the  Shakespeare  row,  there  were  scattered  about  the 
city  several  other  gam  1)11  ng-rooms,  a  few  of  them  being  of  the 
more  respectable  class,  but  the  greater  number  of  the  lowest 
possible  order,  located,  as  I  said  before,  in  low  drinking-houses, 
where  only  heavy  percentage  games  were  played,  and  to  which 
all  classes,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  negroes,  were 
privileged  to  contribute  their  support.  Still,  beyon  1  the  heavy 
percentage  attached  to  these  games,  "chuck"  having  about 
seventeen  per  cent,  in  its  favor,  those  playing  at  them  had  a  fiiir 
show  for  their  money,  as  the  arts  of  tho  sharper  had  not  then 
begun  to  be  practiced  in  the  public  garnbling-houses  of  this 
country.  I  counted  at  one  time,  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  forty-four 
uro  games  and  thirty-seven  roulette -wheels,  most  of  which  did 
a  Nourishing  business,  as  did  also  the  heavy  percentage  games. 
Brandon  bank-notes,  and  those  of  other  wild-cat  banks,  were 
plentiful  there  as  hops  in  Kent,  and  most  of  them  wore  at  that 
time  going  at  par. 

In  the  suburbs  of  the  city  were  several  dance-houses  of  the 
lowest  order,  wliere  lawlessness,  indecency,  and  debauchery  reign- 
ed supreme.    Here  thieves  of  both  soxes  assembled  to  prey  upon 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

the  unwary.  Lewd  women  with  their  more  degraded,  associates 
drove  decenry  to  cover  with  their  abandoned  tf.lk  and  gestures. 
Boatmen,  'longshoremen,  and  sailors,  spent  among  these  aban- 
doned harlots  their  hard  earnings,  and  dranli  tlio  poisonous 
fluids  which  maddened  their  brains,  and  made  them,  but  too 
often,  commit  deeds  of  blood  and  violence.  No  police  force  dared 
intrude  their  unwelcome  presence  on  the  ..,  s  carried  on  in 
those  vile  dens;  rnd  the  peaceable  and  timid  avoided  their 
vicinity  as  they  would  have  done  that  of  a  pest-house. 

From  dark  to  dawn,  lawlessness  stalked  abroad  rampant  in 
Mobile.    Gangs  of  drunken  boatmen,  sailors,  and  reckless  ad- 
venturers, staggered  through  the  streets,  making  night  hideous 
with  obscene  songs  and  loud  oaths,  hunting  for  the  next  dram- 
shop or  a  fight,  both  of  which  were  conveniently  on  hand.    The 
imbecile  police  were  utterly  powerless,  and  could  not  in  the  least 
prevent  the  full-deck  fights  which  were  constantly  going  forward, 
but  were  compelled  to  stand  calmly  by  until  the  combatants 
had  pummelod  one  another  to  their  heart's  satisfaction,  before 
peace  could  be  in  any  degree  restored.    Every  person,  nearly, 
secretly  carried  weapons  upon  their  persons,  which  they  used 
upon  the  smallest  provocation,  and  sometimes  with  none  at  all; 
and  even  sailors,  'longshoremen,  and  boat-hands,  whipped  out 
their  sheath-knives  and  slashed  away  at  each  other,  whenever 
the  force  of  anger  or  alcohol  prevailed  over  reason.    Nor  did  tha 
lower  class  monopolize  the  vices  an'  crimes  afflicting  the  peace. 
Due  i.i,  street-fights,  and  cowardly  assassinaiioas,  were  ordinary 
pastimes  among  the  rich  and  mfluential.     The  seduction  of  a 
wife,  followed  by  the  cold-blooded  assassination  of  the  seducer 
at  the  hands  of  tbo  husbnnd,  or  shooting  a  man  immediately 
down  for  disputing  tlie  veracity  of  the  slayer,  were  trivial  mat- 
ters wLloU  scarcely  called  for  a  passing  notice,  while  forgeries 
and  emV  0,  zlements  were  but  venial  offenses  which  were  quickly 
whitewashed  over.    It  was  wall  for  Mobile  in  those  days  that  a 
divine  Providence  had  ceased  to  destroy  cities  for  the  crimes  and 
vices  of  its  inhabitants,  or  it  would  certainly  have  shared  the 
fate  of  ancient  Sodom  and  Gomorrah. 

Yet,  strange  as  it  may  appear.  Mobile  was  provided  with  those 
necessary  safeguards  of  life  and  property,  such  as  laws,  temples 
.:^  jus,  re,  prisons,  magistrates,  police,  executive  o£Scer8,and  the 
iike ;    but  these  time-honored  institutions  were  considered  as 


rD. 

egraded.  associates 
tp.lk  and  gestures, 
iniong  these  aban- 
iiik  tlio  poisonous 
ide  tliem,  but  too 
•  police  force  dared 
,3  carried  on  in 
mid  avoided  tlieir 
5t-house. 

ibroad  rampant  in 
;,  and  rj'clilcss  ad- 
king  niglit  hideous 
for  the  next  dram- 
tly  on  hand.    The 
uld  not  in  the  least 
utly  going  forward, 
til  the  combatants 
satisfaction,  before 
ory  i)erson,  nearly, 
},  which  they  used 
3S  with  none  at  all; 
lands,  whipped  out 
ch  other,  whenever 
mson.    Nor  did  the 
ifflicting  the  peace, 
ioas,  were  ordinary 
The  seduction  of  a 
ition  of  the  seducer 
a  man  immediately 
r,  were  trivial  mat- 
tice,  while  forgeries 
which  were  quickly 
Q  those  days  that  a 
>s  for  the  crimes  and 
ily  have  shared  the 

provided  with  those 
ich  as  laws,  temples 
tive  ofScers,  and  the 
were  considered  as 


▲  "nigoek  in  the  fence." 


463 


merely  appendages  for  the  adornment  of  the  city,  by  the  free 
and  tlic  brave,  who  at  that  period  cjuried  all  before  them. 
Larceny  was  the  only  acknowledged  crime,  and  when  thieves 
were  caught  in  the  act  of  stealing,  or  the  offense  was  clearly 
proven  against  them,  the  courts  were  spared  the  trouble  of  try- 
ing them,  or  the  county  the  expense  of  keeping  them,  by  the 
lynchers,  who  escorted  them  to  the  edge  of  the  piney  woods  in  the 
rear  of  the  town,  and  then  and  there  administered  to  them  as  many 
lashes  as  they  considered  a  commensurate  punishn^ent  for  their 
offense.  Over  murderers  of  all  descriptions  the  courts  held  sole 
jurisdiction;  but  none  except  negroes,  or  those  who  had  shed 
blood  for  purposes  of  plunder,  were  ever  punished,  no  matter 
how  deep  their  guilt  or  how  cowardly  their  deed  of  blood.  But, 
to  the  honor  and  credit  of  Mobile  courts  bo  it  said,  they  never 
permitted  one  class  of  criminals  to  escape  the  halter,  whenever 
it  was  possible  to  fasten  upon  them  their  crimes,  and  these  were 
negro  thieves.  Towards  them  the  laws  were  as  severe  and  un- 
alterable as  the  code  of  Draco,  and  even  the  miscreant  who  had 
the  hardihood  to  express  sympathy  for  the  strangled  wretch 
was  fortunate  if  he  escaped  a  similar  fate  at  the  hands  of  the 
lynchers. 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

A  "NIOaER  IN  THE  FENCE." 

The  principal  hotel  in  Mobila  was  the  "  Waverly,"  and  on  the 
same  street,  directly  facing,  was  the  best  coffee-house,  named 
after  the  palace  of  the  great  Frederic  at  Pottsdam.  On  the 
first  floor  above  the  "Sans  Soucci"  was  a  suite  of  gambling-rooms 
belonging  to  a  firm  of  three  gamblers  named  Kent,  Myers,  and 
Greene,  respectively.  This  firm,  during  the  winter,  had  fallen 
into  bad  luck,  and  had  lost  something  like  $33,000,  which  in- 
duced one  member  to  withdraw  from  it,  having  been  boug^t  out 
by  his  partners,  Kent  and  Greene. 

This  establishment  was  composed  of  two  large  rooms,  hand- 
somely fitted  up  and  furnished.  In  one  of  these  apartments 
the  banking-games,  consisting  of  faro  and  a  thirty-six  numbered 
ronlette-wheel,  wore  conducted,  while  the  other  was  used  for 


/ 


if' 


t 


464 


TTANDEBINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


sbort-card  .games  and  as  a  general  sitting-room.  On  the  floor 
above  were  two  others,  used  by  Kent  and  Greene  as  sloe  ping- 
rooms.  I  had  made  these  gambling-rooms  my  place  of  resort 
during  the  winter  and  spring,  and  had  always  been  most  cor- 
dially received  by  these  gentlemen,  and  also  by  Mr.  Myers,  up  to 
the  time  when  he  drew  out  from  the  concern. 

Shortly  after  he  left  and  sold  out  his  interest  to  Kent  and 
Greene,  these  latter  ofl'ered  me  an  interest  in  the  banli.  I  was  to 
take  one-third  interest  in  the  game,  bank  my  own  interest,  and 
attend  to  the  conducting  of  the  bank.  The  place  had  the  best 
run  of  custom  of  any  in  the  city.  It  was  patronized  principally 
by  business  men,  and  largely  by  the  higher  class  of  steamboat 
ofiacials.  But  the  season  was  rapidly  drawing  to  a  close,  and  I 
could  hardly  expect  to  'have  more  than  a  five  or  six  weeks'  bus- 
iness before  the  scorching  sun  and  the  parched  sands  of  Mobile 
would  drive  from  the  place  every  one  privileged  with  locomotion 
whoso  business  would  in  any  manner  permit  them  to  seek  more 
eadurable  localities. 

My  senior  partner,  Mr.  Greene,  was  a  strange  specimen  of  the 
"genus  homo."    He  had  risen  to  the  surface  somewhere  among 
the  red  lands  of  Georgia,  and  had  groped  his  way  along  until 
he  finally  reached  Mobile,  some  twenty-five  years  previous  to 
our  meeting,  where,  to  use  his  own  expression,  he  "started  in 
givin'  ther  boys  farrer,  and  had  kept  it  up  ever  since."    Ho  was 
at  that  time  (that  is,  when  I  first  met  him,)  about  sixty  years  of 
age,  tall,  powerfully  built,  and  active.     He  possessed  a  generous 
disposition,  and  a  credulous    nature,  which  was  frequently  im- 
posed upoD,  and  was,  besides,  exceedingly  ignorant  and  super- 
stitious.   The  old  fellow  was  very  popular  among  the  play-going 
portion  of  the  community,  and  whenever  his  game  fell  ofi"  for 
want  of  patrons,  all  the  rest  in  the  city  might  hang  up  the  fiddle. 
The  old  fellow  had  grown-up  sons  and  daughters,  and  owned  a 
small  cotton  plantation  on  the  Tombigbee  River,  on  which  he 
worked  about  forty  slaves.    If,  as  he  was  so  fond  of  boasting, 
he  had  been  giving  the  boys  of  Mobile  "farrer"  for  twenty-five 
years,  he  was  certainly  a  terribly  poor  loser,  but,  on  account  of 
his  losses,    would  never  display  any  signs  of  ill-temper,  his 
motto  being,  "Ef  yer  can't  afford  ter  lose,  yer  oughtn't  ter 
play." 
Daring  the  winter,  while  his  game  was  being  badly  beaten, 


>. 

tn.  On  the  floor 
!ene  aa  slecping- 
ly  place  of  resort 
}  been  most  cor- 
Mr.  Myers,  up  to 

rest  to  Kent  and 
10  bank.  I  was  to 
own  interest,  and 
lace  had  the  best 
)mzed  principally 
lass  of  steamboat 
to  a  close,  and  I 
)r  six  weeks'  bus- 
d  sands  of  Mobile 
d  with  locomotion 
hem  to  seek  more 

je  specimen  of  the 
somewhere  among 
is  way  along  until 
years  previous  to 
on,  he  "started  in 
r  since."  He  was 
jout  sixty  years  of 
ssessed  a  generous 
fas  frequently  im- 
aorant  and  super- 
)ng  the  play-going 
3  game  fell  oflf  for 
hang  up  the  fiddle. 
tors,  and  owned  a 
River,  on  which  he 
)  fond  of  boasting, 
iv"  for  twenty-five 
but,  on  account  of 
of  ill-temper,  his 
,  yer  oughtn't  ter 

eing  badly  beaten, 


A.  "nigger  is  the  fence.'* 


465 


the  belief  became  firmly  rooted  in  his  mind  that  his  presence  la 
the  room  was  the  ciiuse  of  this  bad  luck,  and  in  order  to  coun- 
toiact  this,  he  would  always  leave  the  room  whenever  any  heavy 
play  was  {joing  forward.  On  these  occasions  ho  could  be  found 
pacing  backward  and  forward  like  a  staked  bear  in  front  of  the 
Sans  Soiux-i."  with  bout  body,  and  both  hands  firmly  clasped 
boliHKl  him,  iiKluslriousiy  engaged  in  sprinkling  the  puvomont 
copiously  with  tobacco  juice,  which  he  squirted  out  in  all  direc- 
tions as  last  as  ho  could  masticate  the  precious  weed  Every 
now  and  then  his  eyes  would  bo  directed  to  the  stairway  leading 
to  Ins  room,  and  at  the  appearance  of  a  familiar  face  he  would 
accost  the  owner  with,  "How's  ther  cussed olo  mill  above  grinuin' 
now?  II  the  answer  was  unfavorable,  he  would  drop  his  eyes 
on  the  pavement  again  and  resume  his  pa«e,  muttering  to  him- 
self,  "  1  here's  a  Jouer  in  that  room,  sure!"  But  should  the  new 
comer  be  the  bearer  of  good  news,  ho  -vould  invite  him  un  to 
the  bar  of  the  "  Sans  Soucci"  to  imbibe. 

The  old  man  consulted  all  the  fortune-tellers  who  hung  out 
their  shmoles  in  the  place.    And  whatever  instructions  they 
gave  hiin  lor  his  conduct,  in  order  that  his  ill-fortune  might  be 
reversed,  ho  followed  to  tlio  letter.    But  those   incantations 
which  ho  had  paid  so  lil)era]ly  for  having  rehearsed,  in  order 
that  this  desirable  consummation  might  be  reached,  had,  up  to 
the  middle  of  the  spring,  the  period  when  I  tied  my  luck  to  his. 
signally  failed  to  have  the  desired  efiect.    The  golden  promises 
made  to  him  by  the  diviners  of  a  doubtful  future  had  faded 
away  one  by  one,  like  the  "  baseless  fabric  of  a  vision."    One  of 
his  acquaintances,  a  practical  joker,  being  well  acquainted  with 
the  old  man's  peculiar  weakness,  put  up  a  job  to  amuse  himself 
and  friends  at  the  old  lellow's  expense.    This  jocular  worthy, 
through  the  means  of  bribery,  brought  to  his  assistance  an  old 
crone  who  had  lately  anchored  in  the  city,  and  hung  out  a  shin- 
gle which  informed  the  credulous  public  that  she  was  prepared 
to  give  information  relative  to  the  past,  present,  and  future,  by 
the  scientific  means  of  the  horoscope.    The  vulgar  fortune-tell- 
ers to  whom  Mr.  Greene  had  heretofore  applied  had  only  con- 
sulted cards,  coflfee- grounds,  etc.,  and  he  was  now  convinced 
they  had  been   telling  him  falsehoods  the  whole  winter.    His 
mind  was  now  ready  to  receive  a  deeper  course  of  instruction  in 
these  occult  sciences,  and  when  he  learned  of  the  advent  in  the 


•WPpWi 


468 


WANDSRUrOS  OF  A  TAG  ABOUT). 


town  of  this  sago  female  of  the  linroacopo,  who  could  predict 
I'lituro  events  by  the  position  of  the  stuis,  lie  lorthwltli  Ijicd 
him  to  her  al)oclo.     Tiio  old  cheat  kept  him  in  suspense,  and  his 
supposed  fate  hanging  in  the  balance,  fi>r  three  days,  while  nho 
was  ccmsulting  the  stars  and  planets,  and  for  each  consultatiou 
extracted  from  him  a  ten-dollar  wild-cat  note.     The  accommo- 
dating  heavenly  bodies  finally  divulged  to  her  the  fate  which  in 
the  dim  future  awaited  the  faro-banli  of  Kent,  Myers  &  Grcpiic, 
and  tlie  power  of  guiding  its  future  destiny  was  placed  unre- 
servedly and  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  last-named  gentleman. 
Mr.  Greene  was  directed  oy  tins  lady  fo  appear  at  the  race- 
track for  nine  consecutive  mornings.    This  auspicious  spot  was 
situated  some  three  miles  from  the  city,  and  after  ho  had  reach- 
ed it,  which  it  was  vital  he  should  do  at  precisely  nine  o'clock,  he 
was  to  start  and  walk  once  around  the  track.    He  was  assured 
by  the  "  wise  woman  "  that,  after  the  faithful  performance  of 
these  labors,  if  ho  never  revealed  the  mysterious  divination  to 
any  person  living  in  the  meantime,  his  bank  woi    '  not  only  re- 
cover all  its  losses,  but  would  win,  besides,  $49,<)00.  Every  morn- 
ing any  person  who  would  take  the  trouble  to  observe  might 
have  seen  the  old  fellow  in  his  buggy  driving  out  to  the  race- 
track, and  at  precisely  the  appointed  hour  might  also  have  seen 
him  start  on  the  appointed  pilgrimage,  which  for  eight  successive 
mornings  he  did  not  fail  duly  to  accomplish.    The  joke  was  of 
course  too  good  to  keep,  and  it  soon  spread  abroad  from  the  two 
of  three  persons  in  the  secret  at  first,  till  crowds  could  be  seen 
of  a  morning  on  the  road  in  buggies,  carriages,  and  on  horse- 
back, moving  towards  the  race-track  "  to  see  old  Greene  do  his 
work,"  without  that  venerable  gentleman  suspecting  that  he  was 
the  cause  of  these  fashionable  gatherings.    The  aight  before  the 
charm  was  appointed  to  be  wound  up,  a  party  rf  reprobates  got 
hold  of  the  old  gentleman  and  stuffed  him  so  oxpansively  with 
champagne  that  he  was  entirely  unable  to  come  to  time  next 
morning,  to  his  immense  disgust  and  mortification,  the  more  so 
that  his  aged  diviner  informed  him  that  now,  having  disobeyeii 
the  mandate  of  the  stars,  he  was  no  longer  under  their  protection. 
But  the  joke  having  now  become  public  property,  it  was  not  long 
until  the  old  man  found  out  he  had  been  hoaxed,  and  was  so  en- 
raged at  the  thought  of  having  made  himself  the  laughing-stock 
of  the  crowd,  that  he  seized  his  double-barreled  gun  and  etruok 


who  could  predict 
ho  forthwith  liied 
1  HUspciiRR,  niul  his 
t'O  days,  wliilo  nho 
•  each  consuUatioa 
Q.    Tho  accoinino- 
r  tlio  fate  wliich  in 
,  Myers  «Jc  Grcpiic, 
was  placed  unro- 
-nanied  gciitloninn. 
ippear  at  tho  race- 
.uspicioiis  Hpot  waa 
nfter  ho  had  reach- 
oiy  nine  o'clock,  ho 
;,    Ho  was  assured 
ful  perfornianco  of 
rious  divination  to 
woi    1  not  only  rc- 
9,()00.  Every  mom- 
I  to  observe  might 
g  out  to  tho  race- 
ight  also  have  seen 
for  eight  successive 
.    Tho  joke  was  of 
ibro'ad  from  the  two 
owds  could  be  seen 
iges,  and  on  horse- 
5  old  Greene  do  his 
ipccting  that  he  was 
["he  aight  before  the 
■ty  rf  reprobates  got 
o  expansively  with 
come  to  time  next 
cation,  the  more  so 
V,  having  disobcyeii 
ider  their  protection, 
erty,  it  was  not  long 
ixed,  and  was  so  en- 
f  the  laughing-stock 
ilod  gun  and  straok 


X  "iflOOER  IN  THE   FENCE."  4^7 

out  on  tho  war-path.  Tho  "  good  joko  "  would  probably  have 
turned  out  a  very  serious  afliiir,  hud  not  itsiA-rpotrator  taken  tho 
precaution  to  stow  himself  away  out  of  the  reach  of  his  wrath- 
ful foo,  who  for  two  day.s  .-onstautly  paraded  tho  city  in  search 
of  him.  Finally  tho  Sheritf  laid  violent  hands  on  tho  old  gentle- 
man,aud  lorcod  him  to  give  security  for  his  futuro  observance  of 
tho  peace  aud  dignity  of  tho  (State  in  bonds  of  f  .j.OOO 

My  other  partner  in  this  establi.shiuent  was  Mr.  George  Kent 
a  negro-trader,  aud,  like  most  of  his  tribe,  ignorant,  cruel,  un- 
couth, and  overbearing.  Uo  was  iu  person  tall  and  raw-boned 
with  a  sallow  complexion  aud  black  hair  and  wiiLskers.  Uo 
dressed  well,  but  plainly,  and  ™  ..vols  of  any  description. 
Ho  wiis  born  and  raised  in  J  ,  uxd  started  In  •ifo  upon  no 

other  capital  than  his  own  me. its.    Accordiug  to  tho  statement 
of  Mr.  Greene  ho  was  at  one  time  worth  about  $60,000,  which  ho 
had  accumulated  at  negro- tiadiug.     While  in  possession  of  his 
money  ho  became  addicted  to  gaining.     For  many  year-o  he  was 
an  object  for  tho  machinations  of  tho    harper  tribe,  who  had 
dogged  his  footsteps  from  one  slave-man  co  another,  until  finally 
they  had  plucked  him  as  clean  as  a  broiled  snipe.     But,  unlike 
thousands  who  had  been  victimized  in  the  same  manner,  Kent 
learned  to  play  all  games  well  n,id  also  to  protect  himself  from 
the  arts  of  tho  sharper,  towards  whom  ho  entertained  the  bitter- 
est feelings,  to  which  he  frequently  gave  vent  by  declaring,  "  I'll 
kill  euuy  thiof,  there  and  then,  that  I  ketches  a  cheatin'  mo  at 
kearda."    Whether  upon  occasion  Mr.  Kent  would  have  carried 
out  this  blood-thirsty  threat,  I  am  quite  unable  to  say;  but  as 
far  as  I  ever  ascertained,  with  all  his  numerous  vices,  ho  had  not 
up  to  that  period  of  his  existence  killed  anybody.  Mr.  Kent  was 
a  fair  general  card-player;  the  game  which  he  played  most  suc- 
cessfully being  brag,  at  which  he  was  at  all  hours  quite  ready 
and  willing  to  amuse  all  comers ;  and  when  I  came  to  the  cit^ 
but  very  few  gamblers  in  Mobile  cared  to  attack  him  at  his  fa- 
vorite game.    Though  burdened  with  a  mean  disposition  and  an 
irritable  temper,  he  lost  his  money  at  play  without  a  whimper. 
He  had  not,  during  the  last  three  years,  dabbled  in  the  slave- 
trade,  but  bad  devoted  his  energies  solely  to  gambling,  and  dur- 
ing that  period  had  been  the  constant  partner  of  Mr.  Greene. 

The  servant  who  waited  on  our  room  was  the  property  of 
Kent.    He  was  a  bright  mulatto,  about  twenty- two  years  of  age, 


I 


mLjiuijjiju»B)ii 


.m 


4fltl  WAITDBIUNQS  OF    V  VAOAJIOMI). 

aod  exceedingly  Intelligent.  According  to  his  own  account  of 
biuMoir  he  waa  tUe  sou  of  hi«  fonuor  master,  at  one  tiuio  a  well- 
to-do  lawyer,  practicing  in  Vorsaillo^,  Kentucity.  Whiskey  got 
the  bent  of  him,  however,  and  ruined  him  pt-cuniarily,  and  then 
finished  Its  work  by  killing  him.  UIb  crodilora,  alter  his  death, 
seized  his  estate,  and  among  the  others  of  its  belougiugs  sold 
under  the  hammer  were  William  Jones  and  his  m»)ther,  tlie  lor- 
mer  becoming  the  properly  of  Kent,  who  waa  at  the  time  buying 
up  negroes  in  Kentucky  for  the  Mobile  m.uket,  while  the  motlior 
was  bought  by  the  keeper  of  a  tavern  at  Paris,  Kentucky. 

William  was  attentive  and  resi^ctfui  to  every  one  with  whom 
he  was  thrown  in  contact.    To  mo  ho  had,  long  before  I  tli.niKht 
of  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm,  shown  more  than  usual  at- 
tention, which  naturally  caused  me  to  take  a  deep  Interest  in 
him,  which  was  greatly  strengthened  when  I  learned  his  uufor- 
to'mte  position.     Fortune,  in  throwing  him  Into  the  hands  of 
K  .at,  had  dealt  him  a  cruel  blow.    He  was  a  most  inhuman  mas- 
ter, rho  never  spoke  a  kind  word  to  his  slave,  or  allowed  him  a 
moment's  pastime ;  and  whenever  policy  or  fear  forbade  him  to 
vent  his  passion  upon  others,  William  was  the  scape-goat  who 
received  the  brunt  of  his  anger.    Frequently  for  the  slightest, 
and  often  an  Imaginary  offense,  he  would  take  the  boy  to  his 
Bleeping  apartment  and  flog  him  severely .    Many  of  the  patrons 
of  the  place  noticed  his  cruelty  toward  the  boy,  and  the  com- 
ments passed  upon  his  actions  were  by  no  moans  laudatory  of 
Mr.  Kent.    But  public  opinion  exercised  no  influence  over  hia 
unfeeling  heart,  and  It  was  only  when  old  man  Greene  would  re- 
monstrate with  him  about  his  barbarous  treatment  of  the  boy, 
that  William  eiyoyed  a  brief  respite  from  his  persecutions. 

When  I  first  became  a  visitor  at  the  rooms,  Kent,  seeing  I  was 
disposed  to  play  at  his  favorite  short  games  with  him,  paid  me 
the  most  assiduous  attention.  I  soon  discovered,  however,  that 
I  was  overmatched  at  these  contests,  and  dropped  them,  conse- 
quently; but  not  before  I  had  lost  to  him,  at  brag  and  similar 
games,  about  six  hundred  dollars.  While  these  contests  lastcl 
be  would  exclaim,  "  I've  broken  ye  in,  an'  ye're  my  meat  now ! 
But  he  had  made  a  false  calculation;  for  no  sooner h!it'  my  thick 
Bktill  received  the  fact  that  he  overmatched  me,  than  hia  coarse 
jests  and  rude  bantering  could  not  induce  me  to  pit  myself 
ugahiBt  him  at  any  of  the  short-card  games  in  which  he  was  pro- 


is  owu  account  of 
i  ono  tiuiu  a  well- 
!ky.    Whiskey  got 
uolarily,  uud  tliuu 
t),  alter  liiu  duutU, 
la  b«lou«iuga  nold 
iH  luotbor,  tUo  I'or- 
ut  tlio  time  buying 
t,  wUllo  tlio  luotlior 
I,  Koutucky. 
sry  ono  with  whom 
ig  before  I  thouKht 
loro  than  usual  at- 
a  deep  Interest  in 
learned  his  unfor- 
into  the  liands  of 
most  inhuman  nias- 
),  or  allowed  him  a 
ear  forbade  bun  to 
lie  scape-goat  who 
y  for  the  slightest, 
ake  the  boy  to  his 
tf  any  of  the  patrons 
boy,  and  the  corn- 
means  laudatory  of 
9  influence  over  hia 
u)  Greene  would  re- 
satment  of  the  boy, 
I  persecutions. 
(,  Kent,  seeing  I  was 
I  with  him,  paid  me 
ered,  however,  that 
popped  them,  conae- 
it  brag  and  similar 
hese  contests  lastd 
e're  my  meat  now ! 
sooner  hJi(' my  thick 
me,  than  his  coarse 
e  me  to  pit  myself 
in  which  he  was  pro- 


liUMimililUilllutUWW.«IJ»»''-^J-M  *■'■■'''''!'' 


"''^:i«'r»***"'" 


.^J^>^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 

Itil^e    125 

|5o  i"^"    m^s 

■  19 

^  liB    11112.2 

-  ^      lllll^ 

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WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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A  "NIGGER  IN  THE  FENCE." 


469 


flcient.  The  faci  of  the  business  was,  I  had  gotten  to  hate  the 
feUow  so  thoroughly  that  I  had  rather  at  any  time  a  thief  should 
steal  a  hundred  dollars  from  mo  than  he  should  win  one.  He 
did  not,  however,  show  any  rudeness  towards  mo  in  consequence 
of  my  refusal  to  play  with  him  longer;  on  the  contrary,  subse- 
quently, whenever  I  came  into  the  room  he  treated  mo  as  cor- 
dially as  his  dirty  nature  would  permit  him  to  do ;  but  when  I 
became  a  partner  of  the  concern  he  fancied  that  my  age  would 
render  me  a  fitting  object  for  him  to  display  his  domineering 
disposition  upon.  Old  Greene  had  warned  me  that  he  was,  as 
he  expressed  it,  "  a  hard  man  to  do  business  with,"  and  inform- 
ed me  that  '•  Kent  is  cantankerous  at  times,  but  ve  mustn't  mind 
'im." 

But  I  did  mind  "  'im,"  and  at  the  very  outset  took  the  oppor- 
tunity to  give  Mr.  Kent  distinctly  to  understand  that  I  desired 
and  was  not  disposed  to  put  up  with  any  of  his  nonsense,  and 
from  that  time  a  remarkable  coolness  sprung  up  between  us,  al- 
though we  worked  at  the  faro-game  both  night  and  day  to- 
gether. 

I  had  been  at  various  times  in  the  habit  of  giving  to  William 
small  sums  of  money  for  little  extra  services  which  he  rendered 
me  personally.  Shortly  pfterthe  springing  up  of  the  coldness  I 
have  mentioned  between  myself  and  Kent,  while  in  one  of  his 
chronic  fits  of  ill-humor,  he  took  the  boy  to  his  room  and  gave 
him  a  flogging.  While  stripping  himself,  according  to  the  order 
of  his  master,  to  receive  the  punishment,  a  flve-dollar  gold  piece 
dropped  from  his  clothing,  and  William  was  compelled  to  ac- 
knowledge that  he  had  received  it  from  me  as  a  gift.  The  fel- 
low came  to  me  in  a  furious  rage,  handed  me  the  money,  at  the 
same  time  warning  me  that  if  I  gave  money  to  his  boy  there 
would  "  be  some  h'ar-pullin'  goin'  on  about  the  house."  Well 
knowing  any  altercation  which  I  might  have  with  him  would  only 
rebound  on  William,  and  subject  him  to  farther  and  more  brutal 
punishment,  [  answered  him  mildly,  saying  I  had  but  paid  the 
boy  what  I  owed  him  for  waiting  upon  me. 

"I  don't  keep  'im  here  to  wait  on  yer,  by  a  damn  sight.  I 
keeps  him  here  to  wait  on  me  an'  this  here  room,  an'  I  don't 
want  yer  to  give  'im  any  more  money,  mind  that,  Mr.  Morris." 

"Very  good,  Mr.  Kent,"  I  repliod;  "I  shan't  oflfend  you  agam 
In  this  respect.'' 


lt«"H3»r«W»*- 


T 


470 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


On  my  entrance  into  the  concern  as  one  of  its  partners,  its 
luck  seemed  to  talce  a  decided  turn  in  our  favor,  whicli  greatly 
relieved  the  overcharged  heart  and  brain  of  Mr.  Greeue,  and 
caused  him  to  be  more  attentive  to  his  business,  and  to  abandon 
his  former  style  of  pacing  up  and  down  on  the  paveaient  in  front 
of  the  Sans  Soucci  Coffee- House. 

Though,  as  the  close  of  the  business  season  approached,  our 
play  became  perceptibly  lighter,  yet,  on  the  whole,  we  had  more 
patrons  than  any  other  establishment  of  the  same  sort  in  tha 
city.  Among  our  patrons  was  a  young  man  from  Boston,  by 
name  Joseph  Forrest.  He  was  handsome,  dressed  fashionably 
and  with  more  than  usual  taste  and  care.  He  was  well  educated 
and  possessed  a  large  fund  of  general  information,  which  he  was 
vain  of  displaying  in  company,  for  doing  which  he  never  al- 
lowed an  opportunity  to  slip.  I  had  made  the  acquaintance  of 
this  gentleman  shortly  after  my  arrival  in  Mobile,  and  in  the 
course  of  time  I  had  formed  a  great  liking  for  him — so  much  so 
that  I  had  upon  several  occasions  loaned  him  sums  of  money 
varying  from  one  hundred  dollars  to  five  hundred  dollars,  when 
I  saw  no  sort  of  prospect  of  his  paying  me,  unless  he  should  win 
it  at  faro  or  make  it  at  the  various  short-card  games  he  was 
fond  of  playing.  He  was  a  good  general  card-player,  which,  in 
gambling  parlance,  means  he  could  play  all  the  various  short- 
card  games  well.  But  Mr.  Forrest  had  a  strong  predilection  for 
"fighting  the  tiger,"  and  what  money  he  had  won  at  short-card 
games  during  the  season,  which  was  considerable,  was  cast  into 
the  maw  of  that  voracious  quadruped.  I  believe  during  his  so- 
journ in  Mobile  I  was  the  only  one  to  whom  he  applied  for 
money  in  his  distress,  it  being  his  policy  to  make  every  one  be- 
lieve he  was  a  person  of  means.  When  he  borrowed  from  me,  it 
was  done  in  private,  with  the  greatest  secrecy,  and  when  able  he 
repaid  me  with  the  most  scrupulous  exactness.  While  I  was  in- 
terested in  the  house  he  lost  twelve  hundred  dollars  to  the  bank, 
and  in  the  meantime  about  eight  hundred  dollars  more,  playing 
brag  with  Mr.  Kent. 

The  hot  weather  had  struck  in  upon  us,  mercantile  establish- 
ments were  closed,  steamers  were  laying  up,  commerce,  which 
bad  thrilled  the  city  in  every  artery  with  busy  life,  was  in  its  last 
throes.  Familiar  faces  that  had  lately  thronged  our  streets  and 
public  places  had  disappeared;  "fly  time"  had  arrived,  and 


;_  _j^._   ■_ -     •   .-.'.  Cu-'-t-'^-i^'n"' 


w^- 


of  its  partners,  its 
,vor,  which  greatly 
'  Mr.  Greeue,  and 
ss,  and  to  abandon 
>  paveaient  in  front 

in  approached,  our 
vhole,  we  had  more 
)  same  sort  in  th3 
1  from  Boston,  by 
Iressed  fashionably 
)  was  well  educated 
ition,  which  he  was 
rhich  he  never  al- 
ho  acquaintance  of 
Mobile,  and  in  the 
ir  him — so  much  so 
lim  sums  of  money 
idred  dollars,  when 
nless  he  should  win 
3ard  games  he  was 
d-player,  which,  in 
the  various  short- 
ang  predilection  for 
I  won  at  short-card 
•able,  was  cast  into 
lieve  during  his  so- 
lom  he  applied  for 
nake  every  one  be- 
>rrowed  from  me,  it 
y,  and  when  able  he 
js.  While  I  was  in- 
dollars  to  the  bank, 
jllars  more,  playing 

lercantile  establlsh- 
),  commerce,  which 
y  life,  was  in  its  last 
iged  our  streets  and 
"  had  arrived,  and 


A  "NIGGER  IN  THE  FENCE." 


471 


scarcely  a  person  was  to  be  seen  of  an  evening  in  our  rooms 
which  were  lately  crowded  with  a  motley  gathering.    I  was  one'' 
mornmg  sitting  in  my  sleeping-room,  thinking  about  settling  up 
my  business  with  Greene  <Sc  Kent  and  leaving  Mobile  for  the 
North,  when  Kent's  boy  William  rapped  at  the  door.    I  opened 
the  door  and  told  him  to  come  in,  but  he  had  no  sooner  complied 
with  my  request,  than  I  began  to  think  it  strniige  that  he  had 
ventured  in.    Since  the  late  unpleasantness  between  his  master 
and  myself  about  the  five-dollar  piece,  he  had  not,  as  formerly 
come  to  my  room  to  serve  me,  nor  dare  he,  while  at  the  gambling- 
room,  show  me  the  same  attention  as  the  veriest  stranger  might 
claim  from  him  while  his  master  was  present.   My  first  impression 
was  that  my  presence  was  required  in  the  gambling-room  by  his 
master  or  Mr.  Greene,  and  that  he  was  sent  to  notify  me  of  the 
lact,  but  I  quickly  abandoned  this  theory  of  his  appearance  on 
observing  his  pale  and  haggard  countenance  and  confused  man- 
ner.   After  paying  me  the  ordinary  compliments  of  the  morn- 
ing, he  began  to  stammer,  finally  broke  down  altogether,  and 
seemed  unable  to  utter  a  word.    Without  seeming  to  notice  his 
manner,  I  gave  him  ample  time  to  recover  himself  while  I 
walked  over  to  the  miiTor  and  commenced  arranging  my  hair. 

*  Is  you  goin'  ter  stay  here  long  of  massa  John  ?  "  he  finally 
asked,  before  I  had  completed  that  part  of  my  toilet. 

"In  Mobile,  do  you  mean,  William  t" 

"Yes,  sah." 

"No,  William;  I  shall  probably  go  to  New  Orleans  to-morrow 
or  next  day." 

"Couldn't  ye  take  me  wid  yer,  marster  John?  I'se  'd  make 
yer  a  good  servant." 

"I  don't  doubt  it!  But  your  master  won't  sell  you,  William." 
No,  sah!  Dat  he  won't  so  long's  he's  got  all  dat  money  " 

"Then  I'm  afraid  I  can't  do  anything  for  you.  But  why  does 
he  treat  you  so  cruelly?" 

"He  couldn't  help  it,  marster  John;  he  treats  eberybody  bad. 
kase  he  bad  hisself."  ' 

"I'm  very  sorry  for  you,  William,  and  wish  you  had  a  kinder 
toaster;  I'll  give  Mr.  Kent  one  thousand  dollars  for  you,  and  you 
can  tell  him  so  if  you  wish." 

^   "Marster  Smith,  de  t'eatre  man,  he  oflfer  him  dat  fur  me  dis 
las  wmter,  but  he  no  takes  it,  an'  I  'se  seen  better  boys  dan  I  is 


472  ^VAXDERIXGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 

seU  hero  fur  six  or  seven  hundred  dollars.    Ho  jist  keeps  me  fur 

to  spite  mo,  dat's  all  ho  dus  it  fur." 
"  Well,  I'm  sorry  lor  you,  my  boy."  ,  ,     „  ^       , ,  ,„ 

"  I  knows  how  yer  could  git  me,  marster  John,"  he  said,  draw- 

ing  nearer  to  mc,  and  lowering  his  voice,  while  at  the  same  time 

his  restless  round  eyes  peered  directly  into  mme. 
"  Speak  out !  don't  be  afraid !    You  know  you  can  trust  me. 
"I  knows  dat  ar or  I  ahouldn't  b3  'ere." 
"  Well,  go  on  then !"  ,,„      ,     „^„  ,„ 

"Yer  kin  broke  'im  at  brag  an'  win  me  too.    I'll  make  yer  do 

it,  marster  John." 
"  How  can  you  manage  that,  William  f" 
"  I'll  gib  yer  his  hand  by  do  item.    I'll  do  it  ef  yer  say  so, 

marster  John !"  _     .^         ^,        _„ .. 

This  proposition  rather  staggered  me,  for  it  was  the  very  last 
thing  I  was  expecting  from  the  source  from  whence  it  emana- 
ted    I  did  not  give  the  boy  credit  for  understanding  that  inge- 
nious art,  whereby  the  unsuspecting  may  be  relieved  of  their 
money  at  the  card-table.    This  offer  revealed  a  whole  history  of 
unavenged  wrongs,  and  was,  besides,  iu  a  selfish  point  of  view,  a 
very  tempting  one  to  me;  as  of  my  own  knowledge  I  knew  Kent 
had  in  his  possession  about  ten  thousand  dollars ;  but  a  moment  s 
reflection  convinced  mo  that  I  was  by  no  means  the  proper  per- 
son to  accomplish  such  a  feat.  •         .,,.,,„ 
"  No  William !"  I  replied  in  a  calm  voice;  "  I  cannot  do  it !  m 
the  flrsi  place  he  is  my  partner,  and  I  must  not  break  faith  with 
him;  but,  even  outside  of  that,  I  am  the  very  worst  person  you 
could  have  selected  for  such  an  undertaking.    I  have  repeatedly 
refused  to  play  him  brag,  and  should  I  now  banter  him  for  the 
game  and  win,  it  would  certainly  arouse  his  suspicious  nature, 
knowing,  as  he  does,  your  friendly  feeling  for  me,  and  would  end 
by  getting  us  both  into  serious  trouble.    No,  William  I  tha  won't 
do!   But  I  want  to  see  you  out  of  his  clutches,  and  am  willing  to 
aid  you,  provided  I  can  do  so  without  being  compromised  in  the 
matter.    I  am  not  his  guardian,  and  am  therefore  bound  by  no 
law  to  protect  his  interests  further  than  where  he  is  concerned 
with  me  in  the  faro-bank.  You  go  and  see  Mr.  Forrest;  he  s  the 
very  man  you  want.    Go  right  off  and  see  him!  Hell  be  very 
glad  of  the  chance  which  I  cannot  accept."  ^  ,     „     , ,  .. 
"I  dusn't  knows  'im  Ukes  I  duz  you,  marster  John,"  aaia  ine 


n 

V 

t 

ji 
r 

tl 


P 
fii 

Til 
h: 

St 

si 
tl 
a 
se 
cc 

Wi 

th 

Bli 

hi 
to 
th 
no 
th 
ho 

yo 

ap 
ye 
int 
sai 
ro( 
in 


Hiikm  iTi  in  ill  i'i'»r*iii^'rrf'"i  rTiff  "■-flfniwin  i 


uii'U'rl''^  '.-..-.t..^..^,  . 


D. 


jist  keeps  me  fur 


n,"  he  said,  draw- 
at  the  same  time 
le. 
ou  can  trust  me." 


I'll  make  yer  do 


0  it  ef  yer  say  so, 

;  was  the  very  last 
whence  it  emana- 
tanding  that  inge- 
)  relieved  of  their 
a  whole  history  of 
ish  point  of  view,  a 
ledge  I  knew  Kent 
rsj  but  a  moment's 
,ns  the  proper  per- 

'  I  cannot  do  it !  In 
ot  break  faith  with 
■y  worst  person  you 
I  have  repeatedly 
banter  him  for  the 
i  suspicious  nature, 
me,  and  would  end 
William  1  that  won't 
i,  and  am  willing  to 
compromised  in  the 
jrefore  bound  by  no 
ere  he  is  concerned 
[r.  Forrest;  he's  the 
him!  Hell  be  very 

ster  John,"  said  the 


I  ir"ittitiiinmt"ll'Ar  '1  Jrfi^'- 


I ,_ 


A  "NIOOER  IN   THE  FENCB." 


473 


colored  boy,  regarding  me  doubtfully;  "  an'  maybe  ha'Il  go  right 
awuy  au' tell  Aliatcr  Kent!" 

"  He'll  do  nothing  of  the  sort,"  I  rejoined,  with  some  asperity  • 

"  he  wants  money  too  bad  for  that,"  ' 

"  Hadn't  you  better  sec  'im  first,  marster  John  f" 

"  No,  William;  because  I  don't  wish  to  bo  known  in  the  matter 

at  all  by  any  one  save  yourself,  and  you  mustn't  give  Mr.  Forrest 

reason  to  suspect,  either  by  word  or  action,  that  I  know  any- 

tiling  about  your  business.    Go  and  see  him,  and  talk  to  him 

just  as  you've  talked  to  me,  and  I'll  warrant,  if  you  both  manage 

riylit,  tliat  you'll  obtain  your  freedom,  and  break  your  master  into 

the  bargain." 

Ho  hesitated.   He  feared  the  ordeal  of  placing  himself  in  the 
hands,  and  therefore  in  the  power,  of  a  second  person.    When  I 
proposed  Forrest,  I  was  almost  assured  ho  would  grasp  at  so 
favorable  an  opportunity  for  making  money  with  great  eager- 
uess,  but  a  moment's  reflection,  after  the  first  glare  of  the  project 
had  subsided,  convinced  me  that  there  were  contingent  circum- 
stances belonging  to  the  matter,  requiring,  at  least,  some  con- 
sideration.   In  the  fust  place,  like  all  northern  men  coming  to 
the  south,  he  might  have  a  dread  of  entering  into  collusion  with 
a  slave,  and  po8sil)Iy  might  betray  him  to  his  master.    In  the 
second  place,  supi)osing  William  and  himself  succeeded  in  ac- 
complishing his  desire,  what  security  had  the  poor  slave  that  he 
would  deal  fairly  by  him?    Might  he  not  win  Kent's  money  and 
the  l)oy,  reach  New  Orleans  with  both,  and  there  sell  him  into 
slavery  again,  and  keep  all  the  plunder  f    What  should  prevent 
him  fiom  perpetrating  such  an  act  of  treachery?    The  boy's 
tongue  was  tied  by  dread  of  the  lash,  and  even  should  he  have 
the  temerity  to  speak  in  his  own  defense,  his  voice  would  avail 
nothing  in  a  court  of  justice  against  that  of  a  white  man.    But 
there  was  nothing  better  for  it,  and  I  had  to  rely  upon  Forrest's 
honor  in  the  case— a  foundation,  when  you  do  not  thoroughly  know 
your  man,  aa  uncertain  and  treacherous  as  the  quicksands  of  the 
apparently  hard  and  smooth  sea-shore;  for  though  but  young  in 
years,  I  had  thoroughly  learned  how  closely  allied  are  honor  and 
interest.    After  a  few  moments'  cogitation,  however,  I  thought  I 
saw  my  way  clear,  and  advised  William  to  go  at  once  to  the 
room  of  Forrest  and  see  liira.  I  told  him  I  would  follow,  and  wait 
in  the  street  for  him,  md  as  he  came  from  the  house,  if  Mr. 


li 


iijjiii»m«Biiiuii— i«ji 


isw*" 


I 


474 


WANDERINGS  OP  A  VAOABOND. 


Forrest  declined,  or  in  any  way  demurred  at  accepting  the  pro- 
position, he  was  to  nod  and  lift  his  hat  to  me  at  the  same  time ; 
but  if  everything  proved  to  bo  satisfactory  he  was  not  to  notice 
me  in  any  way  whatever,  but  go  directly  to  my  room,  whither  I 
would  immediately  follow,  to  hoar  the  particulars  of  the  interview. 
I  had  resolved  in  case  Forrest  refused  to  take  up  the  afifair,  that 
I  would  go  directly  to  his  room  and  try  my  utmost  powers  of 
persuasion  to  induce  him  to  keep  the  boy's  secret  at  least ;  but 
this  measure  was  purely  precautionary,  as  I  believed  Forrest 
would  accept  William's  proposition  with  the  greatest  avidity. 
Then  I  also  mentioned  to  William  the  opportunity  which  Forrest 
would  have  of  acting  treacherously  by  him,  in  case  their  enter- 
prise succeeded;  and  to  obviate  as  much  as  possible  the 
chances  against  him,  I  advised  him  to  hnve  an  explicit  under- 
standing with  that  gentleman.  "Tell  him,"  I  said,  "  that  your 
freedom  must  be  the  first  thing  taken  into  consideration,  if  suf- 
ficient money  is  won  to  buy  it.  Toll  him  that  all  moneys  won 
more  than  sufficient  to  purchase  that,  must  bo  equally  divided 
between  you,  and  if  the  game  is  prolonged  to  diflerent  sittings, 
that  he  nmst  meet  and  settle  with  you  after  every  sitting.  And 
in  case  he  should  play  for  you,  he  must  have  a  bill  of  sale  of  you 
made  out  and  signed  by  Kent,  and, that  he  must  be  bound  to  sell 
you  again  to  any  person  you  should  wish  to  have  buy  you.  The 
intelligent  boy  understood  my  meaning  and  motives  thoroughly, 
and  promised  to  follow  my  directions  implicitly.  I  then  gave 
him  four  hundred  dollars  and  told  him  that  if  he  was  successful 
in  coming  to  an  agreement  with  Forrest,  to  give  it  to  him  to  play 
the  game  against  Kent ;  but  in  case  they  could  not  come  to  an 
arrangement,  not  to  give  him  the  money,  and  in  any  case  not  to 
do  so  unless  he  was  willing  to  accede  to  all  the  stipulations  men- 
tioned, but  to  leave  him  and  come  out  into  the  street,  and  give 
me  the  sign  we  had  agreed  upon  to  denote  a  failure.  I  knew 
well  enough  that  Forrest  was  not  likely  to  have  more  than  one 
or  two  hundred  dollars,  and  that  the  additional  four  hundred 
"/ould  give  him  a  pretty  good  stake  to  meet  Kent  with  the  power- 
ill  leverage  which  he  would  have  also  in  his  favor.  I  instructed 
William  to  tell  him  that  the  money  was  his  own,  which  he  had 
saved  up  without  the  knowledge  of  Kent,  and  after  these  last 
instructions  sent  him  on  his  errand. 
As  the  time  of  William's  absence  lengthened,  I  was  satisfied 


1 
1 
I 
I 

a 

i 

T 

a 

V 

s< 
P 


h 
h 
d 

g 
tl 


re. 

accepting  the  pro- 
at  tlio  same  tiino ; 
waa  not  to  notice 
ly  room,  whither  I 
rs  of  the  interview, 
up  the  affair,  that 
utmost  powers  of 
cret  at  least;  but 
.  l)elieved  Forrest 
1  greatest  avidity, 
nity  which  Forrest 
Q  case  their  enter- 
as  possible  the 
an  explicit  under- 
;  said,  "  that  your 
isideratioD,  if  suf- 
at  all  moneys  won 
[)o  equally  divided 
different  sittings, 
very  sitting.  And 
I  bill  of  sale  of  you 
St  be  bound  to  sell 
,ve  buy  you.  The 
otiyes  thoroughly, 
tly.  I  then  gave 
'  ho  was  successful 
e  it  to  him  to  play 
Id  not  come  to  an 
in  any  case  not  to 
i  stipulations  men- 
iie  street,  and  give 
,  failure.  I  knew 
ave  more  than  one 
onal  four  hundred 
int  with  the  power- 
ivor.  I  instructed 
)wn,  which  he  had 
id  after  these  last 

aed,  I  was  satisfied 


A  "NIOOEtt  IN  THE  FENCE."  475 

that  I  had  not  boon  mistaken  in  the  matter,  and  that  Forrest 
had  snapped  eagerly  at  the  prospect  of  getting  the  best  of  his 
old  adversary  at  brag,  and  my  premonitions  were  at  length 
confirmed  by  the  appearance  of  William  in  the  street,  where 
ho  immediately  gave  the  preconcerted  signal  that  all  was  well 
understood.  In  a  few  moments  wo  were  again  closeted  in  ray 
room,  where  he  informed  mo  that  Forrest  had  accepted  his 
proposition  without  a  single  moment's  hesitation,  and  had  sol- 
emnly  promised  to  observe  all  his  stipulations  to  the  very  letter. 
At  about  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Kent,  William  and  myself 
being  the  sole  occupants  of  the  gambling-room,  Forrest  entered 
with  a  smiling  face,  and  after  saluting  us  each  according  to  his 
custom,  he  walked  up  to  tlio  round  card-table  at  which  Kent 
was  sitting,  and  throwing  down  upon  it,  before  him,  a  pile  of 
bank-bills,  said:  "There,  Mr.  Kent,  is  something  for  you  to  ',ake 
in  at  brag." 

"You  don't  tell  me  that,  Forrest!"  exclaimed  Kent,  hia  eyes 
brightening  as  much  at  che  prospect  of  gain  as  of  a  contest  at 
his  favorite  pastime.  "  Why,  1  did  not  think  thar  was  that  much 
money  left  in  town!"  and  added,  "Here,  William,  gin  us  some 
keards,"  in  the  tone  of  a  man  in  more  than  usual  good-humor. 
The  paper  was  immediately  furnished,  and  they  took  their  pi- 
and  the  contest  commenced,  each  trying  to  outwit  the  other. 
Not  expecting  any  faro-game,  and  thinking  my  presence  in  the 
room  might  incommode  Forrest,  I  took  my  hat  and  strolled  out, 
and  did  not  return  again  until  after  nine  o'clock. 

As  I  re-entered  the  room,  a  single  glance  at  the  card-table  con- 
vinced me  that  Forrest  wap  progressing  finely.  Kent  had 
scarcely  any  money  before  him  on  the  table,  and  was  sweating 
profusely,  and  was  as  uneasy  as  a  bull  in  fly-time. 

"Give  me  two  thousand  dollars,  Morris!  This  here  Tank's 
chawin'  me  up,"  was  the  first  salute  I  received  on  my  entrance. 

"You  must  have  had  some  bad  luck,"  I  replied,  by  way  of 
consolation ;  but  he  interrupted  me  savagely  with: 

"I  don't  know  what  you  calls  it,  but  ef  he  kin  beat  me  at  this 
here  game,  he  kin  win  enough  o'  stuff  ter  buy  hisself  a  stone 
house  ter  keep  hisself  from  freezing  ter  death  in,  in  that  there 
damned  cold  abolition  country  o'  hiss^n."  While  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  delivery  of  this  neat  speech,  I  was  counting  out  from 
the  bank-money  the  sum  he  had  demanded.    "  How  much  stuff 


■r*-.-2'j«!ri?"*^h-^^*^rti^rt:= 


476 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


o'  raino  yo  pot  timrt"  lio  iiiquirod,  seeing  mo  occupied  inrunniag 
over  the  iKUik-notes  In  tiio  roll. 

"Do  you  wish  mo  to  Hottle  up  tho  game,  slrT" 

"I  reckon  aa  how  you  might  jist  i\s>  well."  "laiabered — n 
bank  ain't  goin'  tcr  git  euny  more  play,"  he  rejjlied. 

I  Bottled  up  t'lo  bank-book  in  u  fow  moments,  and  baudod 
It  over  to  him  lor  inapnction. 

"Five  thousand  eight  buudrod  an'  thirtoea  bucks  ye've  got 
tbero  o'  raino,  then,  hey?" 

"Yes,  sir,  that  I  beliovo  is  the  amount,"  I  rejoined. 

"  Wall,  pitch  it  beab ;  I  reckon  as  bow  this  feller  hero  '11  git  all 
aforo  mornln'." 

I  did  as  he  bade  mo,  and  immediately  afterwards  loft  the 
rooms.  Forrest  was  then  already  some  throe  thousand  dollars 
wiimer  of  bim,  and  as  I  thought  it  would  likely  take  him  till 
close  on  to  daylight  before  bo  would  have  cleaned  bim  out  en- 
tirely, I  therefore  resolved  to  remain  up,  in  order  to  bo  "in  at 
the  death."  Having  loitered  away  among  some  of  the  other 
gambling'  houses  of  the  place  some  five  hours,  my  impatience  to 
know  bow  the  affair  was  going  would  not  permit  mo  to  absent 
myself  from  the  scone  of  action,  and  the  struggle  in  which  I  felt 
myself  almost  vitally  interested.  On  my  return  I  found  Kent 
and  Forrest  still  facing  each  other  at  the  card-table,  and  direct- 
ly behind  bis  master's  chair  was  socitod  William.  A  gleam  of 
triumph  shot  from  his  eyes  as  they  encountered  mine,  and  then 
they  fell  significantly  upon  the  table.  Lying  near  the  left  hand 
of  Forrest  was  a  largo  pile  of  bank-notes,  and  in  the  center  of 
the  table  laid  another  pile.  Of  tlio  five  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  thirteen  dollars  which  I  bad  given  Kent  at  the  beginning  of 
tho  evening,  not  a  cent  remained  near  bim;  and  a  single  glance 
convinced  me  at  the  momout  of  my  entrance  into  tho  room, 
that  his  last  dollar  was  up  in  the  pool,  when  the  silence  was 
broken  by  a  wrangle  concerning  the  issue  of  the  game.  Each 
held  his  brag  hand  before  bim  upon  the  table.  Kent  bad  been 
drinking  brandy  pretty  freely  during  my  absence,  and  its  effects 
were  now  plainly  visible  upon  bim. 

The  dispute,  if  such  it  could  he  called,  originated  in  this  man- 
ner: Forrest  had  dealt  the  cards  and  had  placed  an  ante  oi 
twenty-five  dollars  on  the  center  of  tho  able,  which  was  imme- 
diately covered  by  Kent,  when  Forrest  bet  him  one  hundred 


d 

Rl 

b 
d 
n 
t( 
b 
h 

Di 
tl 

n 

Pl 
af 
K 
hi 


vi 
or 

ri( 
th 
ve 

re! 


MMSjtW^ttkiUiiMadMW 


D. 


cuplod  in  running 


"laiabero  d — n 
jplied. 
3uts,  and  banded 

I  bucka  yeVo  got 

Joined. 

3lier  bere  '11  git  all 

;crward8  loft  tbe 
tbouaand  dollars 
oly  take  him  till 
iaiicd  bini  out  on- 
ilor  to  bo  "in  at 
ome  of  tbe  otber 
ray  impatience  to 
nit  me  to  absent 
5I0  in  wbicb  I  felt 
irn  I  found  Kent 
table,  and  direct- 
am.  A  gleam  of 
[  mine,  and  then 
loar  tbe  left  band 

in  tlie  center  of 
nd  eight  hundred 

tbe  beginning  of 
id  a  single  glance 
)  into  tbe  room, 
m  tbe  silence  was 
the  game.  Each 
Kent  bad  been 
ce,  and  its  effects 

lated  in  this  man* 
laced  an  ante  of 
which  was  imme- 
tiim  one  hundred 


A  "NiaOER  IN  TUK  KENCa." 


477 


dollars  more.  This  mm  also  soon  by  Kent,  after  which  he 
shoved  up  into  tlio  p(,:tl  what  nionoy  he  iiad  before  him,  being 
his  luHt  dollar,  and  amounting  to  foiu'  huiidred  and  soveuty-flvo 
dollars.  Forrest  covered  tho  last  bruj,'  of  bis  adversary,  which 
made  altogether  in  the  pool  twelve  hundred  doljius.  Hoth  con- 
testants stood  "  pat"— that  is,  reniaod  lo  draw  fresh  cards.  Kent, 
having  tlio  "aKO,"  or  first  i)lay,  said,  "I'ii  bet  fivo  hundred  dol' 
lars."  "  Put  it  up,"  replied  bia  adversary.  Hut  Mr.  Kent  did 
not  happen  to  have  tlie  little  sura  handy  about  him,  but  insl.sted 
that  his  word  was  >,'ood  for  tho  amount.  Tho  incrodnlous  Fr)r- 
rest  could  not  see  it  in  tliat  light.  It  was  while  this  little  "on- 
pleasantness"  wiis  on  the  "tapis"  that  I  entered  the  room,  and 
as  I  a)>pr<>acbed  tho  table  tho  silence  was  broken  by  the  voice  of 
Kent,  reiterating  for  tho  third  or  fourth  time,  "I'll  bet  you  five 
hundred  dollars  for  tho  'pot'." 

"Tho  money  ain't  there,  Mr.  Kent,  and  I'm  not  going  to  take 
a  credit  b^t,"  replied  the  calm  voice  of  Forre.st. 

Kent,  now  throwing  up  bis  eyes  to  mo  for  tlio  first  time,  saidi 
"Put  up  five  hundred  dollars  tbar,  fur  me,  Morris." 

"You  must  excuse  me,  sir,"  I  replied. 

"Ter'vo  got  Greene's  money,  hain't  yer?"  be  iuouired. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Give  it  to  me,  then,"  he  demanded. 

"  Not  until  he  orders  me  to  do  so,  Mr.  Kent,"  I  rejoined. 

"I  tell  yor  it's  all  right,  Morris." 

"Give  me  ther  money,"  ho  demanded,  slapping  his  hand  down 
violently  upon  the  table. 

"It's  not  right  with  me,  Mr.  Kent,  until  I  have  Mr.  Greene's 
orders  for  it,"  I  replied. 

"Ob,  let's  show  down  for  the 'pot,'"  cried  Forrest,  excitedly. 

"  Not  ef  I  knows  my.self,  I  dusn't,"  said  Kent,  stretching  his 
right  hand  over  the  pool  as  if  to  protect  it  from  a  "  snatch," 
though  no  demonstration  of  the  kind  had  been  made  by  his  ad 
versary. 

"  Well,  then,  put  up  your  money,  Mr.  Kent,"  reiterated  For- 
rest. 

"  It'll  be  all  thar ;  don't  yer  fret  yerself,  Mr.  Forrest."  Then 
looking  up  to  me  he  said,  "  Morris,  put  up  that  five  hundred  fur 
me.  I've  got  ten  thousand  dollarsdepositod  in  ther  bank  0'  Mobile, 
an'  ef  I  lose  the  money  I'll  pay  yer  ter-morrer,  sure.    Put  it  up, 


478 


WXNDKKINCI8  OF  A  VAOABOND. 


Morris;  It's  all  right.    Georgo  Kent  never  went  back  on  'Is  word 
ylt.     Bet  jor  llfoou'tl" 

"You  nuiHt  cMUse  luo,  Mr.  Kent,"  I  replied,  "I  cannot  ac- 
comnuMlato  yctu!  ' 

Finillnu  Le  could  noithor  got  Forrest  to  pl:iy  with  him  on 
space  nor  yet  coax  any  money  out  of  me,  he  thought  ol'hisHlavo- 
boy,  perhaps  for  the  first  time,  and  cried  out,  "Come  here, 
William." 

The  boy  rose  from  his  chair  behind  his  master,  and  stood  be- 
side him.  "Hero's  my  boy,  Mr.  Forrest j  I'll  bet  'Im  at  five 
hundred  dollars,"  ho  said,  addressing  his  adversary. 

"  I'm  not  taking  beta  that  way,  Mr.  Kent,"  replied  the  Imper- 
turbable Forrest. 

"How  In  h— 1  are  ye  takln"om,  then f "  demanded  his  op- 
ponent, savagely. 

"I  want  you  to  put  up  the  money,  or  else  let's  show  down  hands 
and  the  best  one  take  the  pool." 

"  I  shan't  do  't !  This  here  boy  's  money,  an'  I'll  bet  'im  fur 
five  hundred  dollars.  What  do  yer  do  now!  Come,  now,  no 
d n  nonsense  with  me ! "  he  cried,  elevating  his  voice,  and  be- 
ginning to  look  "fltlsh." 

"How  much  do  you  want  for  the  boy,  Mr.  Kent!"  inquired 
his  adversary,  in  a  very  calm  voice,  not  manifesting  In  any  way 
that  ho  was  In  the  slightest  degree  moved  by  the  bluster  of  his 
opponent. 

"  The  boy  ain't  for  sale,  but  I'll  play  'Im,  redeemable  in  the 
moruln',  at  three  thousand  dollars,  Mr.  Forrest." 

"  I  ain't  playing  my  money  against  niggers  at  three  thousand 
dollars  apiece,"  cried  that  gentleman,  angrily  gathering  up  his 
money  and  stuffing  it  into  the  pockets  of  his  pants.  "Now,  Mr. 
Kent,"  ho  added.  In  a  determined  voice,  "  let's  show  down  for 
this  'pot,'  and  quit  for  the  night."  This  movement  of  Forrest, 
which  was  executed  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  Kent  to  give  a 
bill  of  sale  of  the  negro,  did  not  fail  of  its  intended  effect  upon 
that  worthy ;  to  use  a  gambling  phrase,  "he  was  badly  stuck," 
and  would  "have  sold  himself  for  money  to  continue  the  game ; 
besides,  he  felt  confident  that  his  cards  were  the  best,  as  he  held 
two  braggers  and  an  ace,  and  had  the  "  age  "  In  his  favor  besides. 
There  were  but  two  hands  left  in  the  pack  better  than  the  one 
he  held,  three  natural  aces,  or  a  bragger  with  two  aces.    The 


It  back  on  'Is  word 

pil,  "  I  cannot  ac- 

pl.iy  with  lilm  on 
iKiinlit  oI'liiHHlavo- 
uut,  "Couie  bore, 

ter,  and  stood  be- 

'11  bet  'im  at  five 

jrsary. 

replied  the  Imper- 

demandod  his  op- 

s  show  down  hands 

an'  I'll  bet  'im  fur 

f    Come,  now,  no 

g  his  voice,  and  be- 

.  Kent?"  inquired 
ifcstiug  in  any  way 
r  the  bluster  of  his 

redeemable  in  the 
ist." 

at  three  thousand 
r  gathering  up  his 
pants.  "Now,  Mr. 
3t's  show  down  for 
ivement  of  Forrest, 
ng  Kent  to  give  a 
itended  effect  upon 
waa  badly  stuck," 
ontinue  the  game ; 
the  best,  aa  be  held 
n  his  favor  besides, 
etter  than  the  one 
ith  two  aces.    The 


A  "MUUKU  IN   TUK  *KNCK.'' 


47U 


finesse  of  his  companion,  in  insisting  that  ho  should  show  down 
for  the  pool,  continuod  him  in  the  idea  that  ho  hold  the  winning 
band,  and  ho  wua  by  no  nioiuiB  willing  to  give  ForroHta  Might  for 
tho  pool,  wlii'n  ho  had  a  chance  of  winning  five  hundred  dollars 
more,  or,  if  not  called,  tho  pool  without  exposing  his  carus. 

Without  appearing  to  take  any  notice  of  the  words  or  actions 
of  Forrest,  ho  again  turned  to  me  and  said,  "  Morris,  just  lend 
mo  Qftecn  hundred  dollars  on  this  'ere  boy,  an  I'll  redeem  'im  in 
thor  mornin'." 

"  I  woul<ln't  give  you  seven  hundred  dollars  for  him,  Mr. 
Kent,"  I  replied. 

"  Lend  mo  five  hundred  dollars,  then,"  he  persisted. 

"I'm  going  North  in  a  few  days,"  I  rejoined,  "and  I  don't 
want  to  be  encumbered  with  any  slave  property." 

"  But  I  tolls  yer  I'm  gwiuo  ter  redeem  tho  boy  ter-morrer." 

"  Don't  a.sk  me  any  more,  Mr.  Kent,  I  beg,  for  I  cannot  oblige 
you,"  I  said,  (locidedly. 

lie  then  turned  once  more  to  his  opponent  and  asked  him  if  he 
would  play  for  the  boy  at  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  redeemable  in 
the  morning. 

That  gentleman  appeared  to  study  intently  over  the  matter  for 
some  moments,  and  then  said,  "  If  you  promise  to  redeem  the 
boy  to-morrow  I'll  play  for  him  at  fifteen  hundred  dollars ;  but 
you  must  give  me  a  bill  of  sale  of  him  now." 

"  William,  bring  me  sumthin'  tor  write  with,"  he  cried,  with- 
out making  any  direct  reply  to  Forrest.  In  a  few  moments  the 
boy  had  laid  the  desired  articles  before  him.  Tho  writing  out 
of  a  bill  of  sale  for  a  slave  was  the  best  part  of  Mr.  Kent's  edu- 
cation ;  but  the  brandy  which  )\o  had  so  freely  imbibed  had 
confused  his  brain,  and  it  was  some  moments  before  he  could 
collect  his  scattered  faculties  and  bend  them  to  the  task  before 
him.  But  he  finiilly  mastered  it  in  a  clerk-like  manner,  and 
handed  over  to  Forrest,  for  inspection,  the  instrument  which  con- 
veyed to  him  the  body,  bones,  flesh  and  blood  of  the  boy  Wil- 
liam, for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars. When  Mr.  Forrest  had  carefully  examined  the  paper  he 
took  from  his  pocket  all  the  money  he  had  and  laid  it  on  the  ta- 
ble. T'j  then  counted  out  from  it  the  stipulated  fifteen  hundred 
dollars,  and  pushed  it  towards  his  adversary,  with  the  remark, 
"I  shall  keep  the  boy  in  my  possession  till  he's  redeemed; 
and  I  have  your  word  for  it  you'll  do  it  to-morrow,  Mr.  Kent.'' 


[ 


480 


■WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


"  Bet  yerlife  on  'tl"  was  the  reply  of  that  worthy,  seizing  the 
roll  of  banli-notes,  and,  without  more  iido,  hrowiug  it  on  tlie 
middle  of  the  table,  saying  at  the  same  moment,  "  Five  hundred 

dollars ! "  ,  ^        . 

"  You  bet  that  much  for  the  pool!  "  demanded  Forrest. 
"  Thar's  ther  money,  an'  I've  said  it ! "  was  the  answer. 
Forrest,  without  making  any  reply,  counted  from  his  money 
fifteen  hundrea  dollars  more  and  threw  it  into  the  pool,  sayinp, 
"  I  see  your  five  hundred  dollars,  and  go  you  a  thousand  better." 
The  rebound  was  the  last  thmg  Kent  had  expected.    He   sat 
back  in  his  chair  and  gazed  with  amazement  into  the  face  of  his 
opponent  for  several  moments.    Meanwhile  that  goutlemau  kept 
his  eyes  on  the  pool,  to  all  appearances  as  cool  as  a  cucumber  in 
an  ice-box.    The  surprise  of  his  opponent  was  only  momentary, 
however.    "  My  money's  thar !"  he  replied,  curtly. 
"You  call  me,  then?"  demanded  Forrest,  laconically. 
"Yes,"  was  the  reply.     " I  thought  so ! "  he  muttered,  gazing 
on  the  two  aces  and  a  nine  which  Forrest  had  exposed  upon  the 
table ;  then  throwing  his  own  cards  beside  those  of  his  opponent 
he  said,  quietly,  "You've  beat  me,  Forrest ! " 

The  latter,  without  vouchsafing  any  remarks,  took  down  the 
pool  and  conveyed  the  money,  together  with  the  bill  of  sale,  to 
iiis  pockets.    Kent  row  commenced  begging  Forrest  to  continue 
their  game  until  daybreak.    "  1'-  e  ten  thousand  dollars  in  the 
bank,  Mr.  Forrest,  an'  ef  yer  kin  beat  me,  yer  kin  win  it  all.  I'll 
go  with  yer  soon's  ther  bank's  open  an'  git  ther  money  fur  yer. 
I  will,  sure.    Play  ahead,  d-u  it.    You'll  git  yer  money  ef  yer 
win  1    Won't  do  it,  hey  ?    Got  enuff,  I  s'pose !  allers  thought  yer 
was  short  stock !"  His  entreaties,  promises,  and  insults  fell  alike 
on  steeled  ears.    As  soon  as  he  had  safely  disposed  of  his  money, 
he  rose  from  his  chair  and  bade  Wliiiam  follow  him, 
"  Must  I  do  it.  Master  Georgef  "  inquired  William. 
"Yes,  yer  hisssen  till  ter-morrer;  go  along  wid  him,"  replied 
Kent,  folding  his  arms  upon  the  table  and  letting  his  head  sink 

upon  them.  , .  ,   ,     .    j  j      i 

The  combined  influence  of  the  brandy  which  he  had  drank 
and  the  excit«ment  through  which  he  had  passed  had  complete- 
ly overcome  him,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was  fast  asleep  and 
snoring  vigorously,  in  which  state  I  left  him  and  repaired  to  my 
lodgings. 


1- 


worthy,  seizing  the 
luowiug  if  on  tlie 
it,  "  Five  hundred 

led  Forrest, 
the  answer. 
1  from  his  money 
the  pool,  sayinp, 
thousand  better." 
xpected.  He  sat 
into  the  face  of  his 
lat  goutlemau  kept 
1  as  a  cucumber  in 
3  only  momentary, 
irtly. 

iconically. 
)  muttered,  gazing 
L  exposed  upon  the 
3se  of  his  opponent 

•ks,  took  down  the 
the  bill  of  sale,  to 
Forrest  to  continue 
sand  dollai's  in  the 
r  kin  win  it  all.  I'll 
tier  money  fur  yer. 
.  yer  money  ef  yer 
!  allers  thought  yer 
bd  insults  fell  alike 
posed  of  hia  money,. 
iw  him. 
;Villiam. 

T  wid  him,"  replied 
iting  his  head  sink 

liich  he  had  drauk 
issedhad  complete- 
was  fast  asleep  and 
and  renaired  to  my 


•^ 


THE   "XIGGEB"  gets  OUT.  481 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

THE   "nigger"   gets  OUT. 

It  seemed  to  me  that  I  had  only  ju.st  fallen  asleep  when  I  was 
awakened  by  a  rapping  at  luy  door.  I  arose  and  opened  it,  and 
found  that  Williaui  was  there  and  desired  to  speak  with  me.  I 
looked  at  my  watch,  and  found  it  was  nine  ocluck.  William  had 
to  say  to  mo  that,  having  reached  the  lodgings  of  Mr.  Forrest  on 
tlio  previous  evening,  he  had  demanded  of  that  gentleman  a 
division  of  the  money  ho  had  won  from  Kent,  but  that  Forrest 
had  refused,  on  the  ground  thai  there  might  yet  be  some  trouble 
with  his  old  master  about  his  ownership,  and  that  it  would  be 
exceedingly  dangerous  for  him  to  bo  found  with  money  upon  his 
person.  "I  told  him,"  said  Williaiu,  "that  that  excuse  would 
not  answer,  and  requested  him  to  comply  at  once  with  the 
terms  of  the  compact,"  but  he  positively  refused  to  do  anything 
until  the  matter  of  William's  ownership  was  defujtely  arranged 
witli  Kent.  William  then  asked  him  for  the  four  hundred  dollars 
which  he  had  put  into  his  hands,  and  that  was  also  refused,  on 
the  ploa  that  he  could  do  nothing  until  he  came  to  an  under- 
standing with  Kent  regarding  himself.  "I  tells  yer,  marster 
John,"  said  William,  at  tlie  end  of  this  narrative,  "dat  man  he 
means  no  good  wid  dis  uiggah!"  I  bade  him  at  once  return  to 
Forrest,  and  if  he  saw  him  making  any  preparations  for  leaving 
the  place,  to  come  at  once  and  inform  me,  telling  him  he  would 
fliid  me  either  at  my  lodgings  or  at  the  gambling-room,  and 
charged  liim  to  say  nothing  whatever  on  the  subject  of  Lis  in- 
terview with  mo,  or  of  the  money,  to  Forrest,  but  to  leave  matters 
entirely  h-.  my  hands. 

I  was  satisfied  that  even  if  it  was  his  intention  to  act  foully  by 
the  boy,  he  would  not  leave  the  place  except  he  took  him  along; 
but  I  was  determined  I  would  not  leave  it  to  chance.  Ho  had 
forfeited  his  word  to  the  boy  already,  and  had  even  refused  to 
return  the  four  hundred  dollars  which  he  had  advanced  him  for 
purposes  of  play.  This,  certainly,  did  not  look  much  as  if  he 
meant  to  u",t  fairly  in  the  matter.  He  might  have  thought,  it  is 
true,  that  Kent  would  be  disposed  to  wrangle  about  his  slave  on 
the  pretext  that  the  bill  of  sale  was  givta  at  a  gambUng-taMe, 


482 


WANDERIXGS  OF  A  VARABO^ID 


and  ho  mig)<t  also  have  feared  that,  if  the  money  were  found 
upon  WilHaiu,  ho  might  bo  compelled  under  the  lash  to  tell 
how  he  came  by  it.  These  reasons  might  have  hindered  him 
from  fulfilling  his  contract,  and  ho  might  .still  bo  willing  to  lul  • 
fill  it  so  soon  as  everything  relating  to  the  ownership  of  William 
could  bo  amicably  arranged  with  Mr.  Kent.  But  my  suspicions 
that  ho  intended  to  behave  dishonorably  in  tlio  matter  had  been 
aroused,  and  I  was  perfectly  determined  that,  in  the  lace  of  all 
hazard,  I  would  prevent  his  leaving  the  cily  until  he  had  made  a 
just  division  of  the  money  with  William,  and  consigned  the  boy 
to  my  possession.  He  had  in  his  hand  about  five  thousand  dol- 
lars rightfully  belonging  to  the  boy,  except  the  four  hundred 
dollars  belonging  to  me,  and  also  a  bill  of  sale  of  the  boy,  whom 
he  could  convert  into  ready  money  in  New  Orleans,  Louisville, 
or  any  of  the  largo  places  ho  would  pass  through  after  leaving 
Mobile  on  his  way  northward.  The  prize  was  a  tempting  one 
to  an  unscrupulous  person,  especially  when  the  only  person  in 
the  world  capable  of  unmasking  his  villainy  was  a  poor  tongue- 
tied  slave.  J  therefore  resolved  to  stick  closer  than  a  brother 
to  Mr.  Forrest  until  matters  were  settled  according  to  my  taste. 

At  about  one  o'clock  in  the  day  I  mot  the  gentleman'  at  the 
"Sans  Soucci."  He  appeared  somewhat  nervous  when  I  congrat- 
ulated  hira  upon  his  good  fortune,  but  replied  to  me  by  a  short 
laugh  and  a  knowing  toss  of  the  head,  "Oh!  I  know  I  was 
boui.l  to  beat  that  fellow  certain  if  ever  the  cards  broke  even." 

"B  It  how  in  the  world  came  you  to  give  him  fifteen  hundred 
dollar 3  for  that  boy?— he  isn't  worth  seven  hundred." 

"I  know  that,  but  I  was  afraid  of  having  a  fuss  with  him, 
and  thouffht  that  the  best  way  to  get  out  of  it;  besides,  I  knew 
to  almost  a  cer'ainty  that  I  could  beat  his  hr.nd.  But  do  you 
think  he'll  redeem  the  boy?"  he  asked,  with  an  anxious  look. 

"I  don't  think  lie  can,"  I  replied;  "but  in  case  ho  does  not, 
what  do  you  intend  to  do  with  him?'* 

"Take  hir.i  with  me,"  he  said. 

"Where?"  I  asked. 

"ToNeu  0,:eans." 

'  Are  you  foing  to  remain  there'" 

"No!"  he  replied;  "I  am  going  to  the  North  almost  imme- 
diately." 

"Well,"  I  rejdned,  "don't  leave  until  you  come  to  some  ar- 


ii 
b 

t: 
p 

ii 

0 
V, 

w 
hi 

y< 
ti 

la 

y' 

w 

in 
nc 


m 
sh 
a  ( 


oney  were  found 
'  the  hisb  to  tell 
rVC  hindered  him 
be  willing  to  I'll! . 
crahip  ol'  William 
ut  my  suspicions 
matter  had  been 
in  the  I'aco  of  all 
;il  he  had  njade  a 
ansigned  the  boy 
•e  thousand  dol- 
ho  four  hundred 
)f  the  boy,  whom 
leans,  Louisville, 
gh  after  leaving 
a  tempting  one 
e  only  person  ic 
3  a  poor  tongue- 
■  than  a  brother 
ling  to  my  taste, 
entleman  at  the 
I  when  I  congrat- 

0  me  by  a  short 
I  know  I  was 

'ds  broke  even." 
fifteen  hundred 
[rod." 

1  fuss  with  him, 
besides,  I  knew 

id.    But  do  yoii 
anxious  look, 
ase  ho  does  not, 


1  almost  immo- 
ne  to  some  ar- 


TUE  "XIGGEK"  r.Ern  OUT. 


483 


rangeraent  with  Kent  relative  to  the  nigger;  for  ue  might  bo 
mean  cuough  to  make  trouble  for  you  otherwise." 

iousP '^'^"^  ^'""^^^  ^""^^^  ^'^  "^'^^*'  '"^^"  ^°  '^l^'^e'^'  rather  anx- 

"  Why,  the  sale  was  made  at  a  gambling-table,  and  he  might 
be  mean  enough  to  dispute  it  on  those  grounds,"  I  replied 

♦,  -'^.".f?"  *'''"'^  ^^''^^  ^°  "^"^"^  ^°  '^^^^  euougli  to  do  such  a 
tnmg  /    lie  a^ked. 

'I  I  can't  tell.    There's  no  saying  what  ho  might  do.  It's  your 
policy  to  come  to  some  agreeable  understanding  with  hie  ■  rrd 
If  you  can  do  no  better,  to  give  him  one  or  two  hundred  dollars 
over   in  case  ho  hands  over  to  you  the  original  bill  of  sale, 
whic!i  ho  holds,  of  William."  ' 

"  That's  pretty  good !  The  d-n  nigger's  already  cost  me  twice 
what  he's  worth,"  he  grumbled. 

"  That's  your  own  lault.  You  say  you  were  obliged  to  take 
him  to  keep  from  having  a  fuss  with  Kent.  Now,  make  the  most 
you  can  of  a  bad  bargain,"  I  rejoined.  "  At  this  time  of  the  year 
the  boy  at  best  will  not  bring  over  seven  or  eight  hundred  dol- 
lars,  and  when  you  get  to  New  Orleans  you  go  to  Durant  6c  Coll- 
ycrs-they'll  give  you  pretty  near  his  value  for  him;  then  you 
won  t  have  any  more  trouble  with  the  nigger." 

The  firm  mentioned  was  a  myth,  and  had  no  existence  except 
in  my  bram;  but  I  watched  him  carefully  as  I  spoke,  and  I  saw 
my  information  had  not  fallen  upon  inattentive  ears,  and  was  bv 
no  means  lost  upon  him. 

"Who's  Du  ant  &  Collyer?"  he  asked. 
_    "They  are  the  largest  slave-merchants  in  New  Orleans,  if  not 
in  the  whole  South.    They  are  constantly  buying  and  selling 
slaves,  from  one  year's  end  to  another,"  I  replied.    "  It  would  be 
a  curiosity  for  you  to  see  their  slave-yard  in  that  city  " 

"  Do  you  know  in  what  part  of  the  city  their  place  is?  "  he 
asked. 

"Yes;  110  Esplanade  Street,"  I  replied,  improvismg  street  and 

number  for  his  especial  benefit.     He  took  from  his  pocket  a 

memorandum  and  made  a  note  of  it  there  and  then,  after  which 

10  returned  it  to  hispocket,  and  then  turning  again  to  ine,  asked 

Have  you  seen  anything  of  Ken*  to-day  ?  " 

"No,"  I  answered;  "  but  you'll  find  him  in  the  gambling-room 

tins  evening,  and  I'd  lose  no  time  in  seeing  him  there  and  settling 


^ 


AVAXDEUIXUS  OF   A   VAGABOND. 


484 

up  your  business  with  hiui."    Uo  said  ho  would,  and  then  left  - 

"^Entcriug  the  gambliug-room,  tho  only  person  I  mot  there  was 
Mr.  Greouo,  who  was  engaged  in  stepping  tho  room  oil,  baclt- 
wards  and  forwards,  at  a  rapid  pace,  with  his  hands  clasped  be- 
hind him     I  learned  from  him  that  he  got  there  about  ume 
o'clock  and  found  tho  lights  all  burning  and  the  doors  wide  open, 
and  Kent  seated  in  a  chair  with  his  head  loaning  over  on  the 
poker-table,  fast  asleep.    That  gentleman,  having  been  aroused 
from  his  slumbers,  informed  him  of  all  that  had  taken  place  on 
the  previous  evening,  after  which  ho  went  up-stairs  with  tho 
avowed  intention  of  seeking  his  bed,  where  ho  was  at  that  mo- 
ment supposed  to  bo  sleeping.    As  soon  as  I  had  paid  my  re- 
spects to  tho  worthy  Greene,  that  gentleman  stopped  abruptly 
in  his  promenade  directly  in  front  of  me,  and  addressed  mo  with, 
"A  pretty  kittle  o'  fish  he's  cooked  fur  hisself! "  at  the  same 
time  rolling  his  eyes  and  jerking  his  thumbs  in  the  direction  of 
the  ceiling,  to  indicate  that  he  was  speaking  of  his  partner 
asleep  in  the  room  above.    "  Lose  ten  thousand  dollars  in  a  night 
and  a  hkely  nigger  inter  ther  bargain !   Jehu  I   Did  you  ever  hear 
ther  like  o'  't  i  when  everything's  dead  's  h— 1,  too !    He'll  be  ar- 
ter  me  fur  a  stake  1    Won't  git  it,  tho' !  I'm  d-d  ef  he  dus !    I've 
got  enough  weight  ter  pack  all  summer,  without  toatin'  'im.    I 
bet  that  Yonk  robbed  'im.    They're  allers  sneakin'  'round  ter 
git  hold  o'  jist  sich  infernal  fools  as  he  is." 

"  Why,  Mr.  Kent  said  repeatedly  last  night  that  he  had  ten 
thousand  dollars  deposited  in  tho  bank  of  Mobile." 
"  Ten  thousand  lice !    He  ain't  got  a  cent,  d— n  'im." 
«'  Ho  told  Forrest  so,  and  wanted  him  to  play  for  it,  saying 
that  if  he  won  he'd  take  him  to  tho  bank  directly  it  opened  and 
give  him  his  money." 

"  He's  an  infernal  fool  when  he's  got  any  licker  in  'im,  an  '11 
allers  over-play  himself  ef  he  loses;  when  he's  all  right  there 
ain't  an  hoi.ester  man  in  Allerbamer  than  George  Kent." 

"He  wanted  me  to  give  him  your  money,  too,  but  I  wouldn't  do 
it;  and  I  don't  think  we  shall  get  any  more  play  here,  so  hadn't 
we  better  se.tle  up  our  business?  for  I  don't  care  to  be  carrying 
your  money  any  longer." 

Tho  old  gentleman  acquiesced,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  had 
eettled  up  our  affairs  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  both,  and  I 


h 

tl 
ai 

e: 

re 

Wi 

K 

tu 

PE 
fif 

Gi 

'in 
wi 

ag 

th 
wl 

Gr 

sti 


)uld,  and  then  left  ^ 

)u  I  mot  there  was 
10  room  off,  back- 
haudd  claspod  be- 
thero  about  nine 
e  doors  wide  open, 
Luiug  over  ou  the 
,viiig  been  aroused 
ad  taken  place  on 
ip-stairs  with  the 
e  waa  at  that  mo- 
had  paid  my  re- 
,  stopped  abruptly 
addressed  mo  with, 
self !  "  at  the  same 
in  the  direction  of 
ing  of  his  partner 
id  dollars  in  anight 
Did  you  ever  hear 
I,  too!    He'll  be  ar- 
-d  ef  he  dus !    I've 
hout  toatin'  'im.    I 
Bueakiu'  'round  ter 

ht  that  he  had  ten 

abile." 

d— n  'im." 

I  play  for  it,  saying 

Bctly  it  opened  and 

licker  in  'im,  an'  '11 
lie's  all  right  there 
George  Kent." 
0,  but  I  wouldn't  do 
play  here,  so  hadn't 
,  care  to  be  carrying 

ew  moments  we  had 
ction  of  both,  and  I 


IHE  "MGGEB"  GETS  OUT. 


485 


left  my  venerable  friend  for  a  few  hours.  When  I  returned  to 
the  room  1  found  it  occupied  by  Greeuo  and  Kent  both,  and  the 
hands  of  tho  clock  pointed  to  six.  The  latter  gentleman  seemed 
as  Ircsh  as  a  lark,  and  was  much  better  dressed  than  I  had 
over  seen  him  previously.  As  soon  as  I  entered  tho  room  he 
accosted  mo  with,  "Well,  Morris,  how  did  I  quit  that  fellow  this 
morning  f " 

"1  believe  you  lost  what  money  you  had,  and  WilHamat  fifteen 
hundred  dollars,"  I  said. 

"How  much  money  did  you  give  me,  now?"  he  inquired. 

"  Five  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  thirteen  dollars,"  I  replied, 
"  which  was  your  share  of  the  bank-money,  and  I  have  a  few- 
hours  since  given  to  Mr.  Greene  the  same  amount. 

"That's  all  right,"  he  rejoined.  "I  only  want  ter  know  what 
that  d— u  Yank  robbed  me  outen.  I  was  too  drunk  last  night, 
and  that  sneakin'  swindler  robbed  me  sure  an'  sartain." 

"In  course  he  did,"  acquiesced  Greene;  "  what  else  could  yer 
expect?" 

"What  the  h— 1  dew  yer  know  about  it,  you  damned  olo  fool  f  " 
roared  the  amiable  Mr.  Kent,  rising  from  his  chair. 

This  sudden  fit  of  anger  exploding  on  the  uevoted  head  of  the 
worthy  Greene,  effectually  silenced  that  gentleman.  When  Mr. 
Kent's  wrath  had  somewhat  cooled  down,  he  took  two  or  throe 
turns  around  the  room,  and  finally  stopped  in  front  of  his  worthy 
partner,  and  said,  in  commanding  tones,  "I  want  yer  ter  give  me 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  to  redeem  William  from  that  are  Yank." 

'Let  'era  go,  damn  'im!  ho  ain't  worth  seven  hundred!"  said 
Greene,  in  a  surly  tone. 

"He  ain't,  ain't  he?  Well,  I  wouldn't  take  ten  thousand  fur 
'im ;  he's  ther  best  nigger  I've  ever  owned,"  retorted  Mr.  Kent, 
with  a  savage  shake  of  the  head. 

"  What  the  devil  were  you  allers  whippin'  'im  fur,  then?"  sav- 
agely demanded  Greene. 

"Cos he's  mine,"  exclaimed  his  partner,  with  a  savage  wag  of 
the  head,  "and  I'd  a  right  tor  whip  'im,  Mister  Greene ;  that's 
why." 

"So  is  my  money  mine,  Mister  Kent,"  retorted  old  man 
Greene,  "an'  I'll  keep  it  in  my  pocket." 

To  this  ungracious  speech  Mr.  Kent  replied  that  he  might 
stick  his  money  in  a  place  unmentionable  to  ears  polite,  "cos  he 


436 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


(lidu't  waut  nouoo'Lis  favors."    Ilaviug  dclivci.il  himself  of 
wliicli  pleasiuy  pioco  of  iuformutiou,  bo  left  tUc  room. 

I'U—u  'im,  lie  thiuks  1  bclougts  to  'iml"  bmst  out  tbo  old  man, 
stridiug  up  aud  dowu  tbo  lougtb  of  tbo  room  iu  f.a  excited  man- 
ner. "Give  'im  lilteeu  buudied  dollars  fur  a  seveu-bundred 
dollar  nigger'    Not  for  Greene— a  little  too  late  in  tbe  season  for 

that." 

During  this  delectable  interview  with  these  two  worthies,  ray 
eyes  were  anxiously  watching  for  the  appearance  of  him  whom 
I  was  momentarily  expecting;  and  when  Kent  demanded  of 
Greene  fifteen  hundred  dollars  to  redeem  tbe  boy  with,  my  cogi- 
fitions  were  not  pleasant,  to  say  the  least ;  but  I  was  determined 
he  should  have  bis  freedom,  if  it  cost  every  dollar  tliat  Kent  had 
lost  Tlio  last  named  gentleman  had  been  gone  scarcely  five  mm- 
utes  when  I  was  agreeably  surprised  to  see  him  return  in  com- 
pany with  Forrest,  and  a  single  glance  sufficed  to  tell  me  that 
they  had  come  to  some  amicable  understanding  on  tbo  subject  of 

'"  ^"hcro  a  few  minutes  till  I  go  up-stairs  an'  I'll  git  that  fur 

ye,"  said  Kent.  j      -ti    „ 

After  an  absence  of  a  few  moments  he  reappeared  with  a 
folded  paper  and  laid  it  before  Forrest,  which  the  latter  took, 
and  then  Kent  asked  him  and  myself  to  go  down  to  the  Sans 
Soucci"  and  have  a  julep  with  him,  which  we  did,  leavmg  the  un- 
invited Mr.  Greene  pacing  up  and  down  the  room,  with  his 
hands  tightly  clasped  behind  him.  ,     ,       , 

While  drinking  our  juleps,  Kent  inquired  of  Forrest  when  he 

intended  leaving  the  city;  the  latter  answering  that  he  intended 

taking  passage  on  tbo  mail-boat,  to-morrow,  for  New  Orleans. 

At  parting  he  shook  hands  cordially  with  his  companion,  then 

left  us  standing  together  on  the  pavement  in  front  of  the  '  Sans 

Soucci." 

"What  has  he  done?  "  I  asked. 

"Well,  he  couldn't  redeem  tbe  nigger,  but  says  if  111  keep 
him,  he  will,  whenever  he's  got  the  money." 

"That's  very  uncertain,"  I  replied;  "but  has  he  given  you 
the  original  bill  of  sale?"  I  asked. 

"Yes,"  ho  replied;  "that  was  it  he  handed  me  when  we  were 

up-stairs  there."  ,    ,   „  ^  *. 

"WeU,  that  secures  you  the  boy,"  I  remarked,  "at  any  rate. 


1 

s 

t 

0 

fl 

n 

II 

k 
N 
d 
ai 
w 


0. 

ivci.J  himself  of 

)  I'UOUl. 

out  tbo  old  man, 
1  f.a  excited  man- 
a  Beveu-hundred 
)  in  the  seasou  for 

two  worthies,  ray 
[ICO  of  him  whom 
cut  demanded  of 
)oy  with,  my  cogi- 
;  I  was  determined 
liar  that  Kent  had 
scarcely  five  min- 
im return  in  com- 
cd  to  tell  me  that 
g  on  the  suhject  of 

an'  I'll  git  that  fur 

eappearcd  with  a 
jh  the  latter  took, 
own  to  thR  "Sans 
id,  leaving  the  un- 
le  room,  with  his 

f  Forrest  when  he 
g  that  he  intended 
,  for  New  Orleans. 
8  companion,  then 
front  of  the  "Sans 


.t  says  if  I'll  keep 

has  he  given  you 

I  me  when  we  were 

■ked,  "at  any  rate. 


THE   "NIGOKB"  gets  OUT. 


487 


But  do  you  really  leave  on  the  mail-hoat  for  New  Orleans?''  I 
asked. 

"  Yos,"  ho  answered,  then  inquired  when  I  myself  expected  to 
leave  ? 

"I  don't  know  yet,"  I  replied. 

"Well,  1  s'poso  I'll  see  you  again  before  I  leave  hero,  at  any 
rate?"  ' 

"Yes,  I  tliink  so,"  I  carelessly  replied,  and  with  these  words 
wo  parted,  each  going  his  way. 

William,  according  to  appointment,  came  again  to  mo  at  my 
room  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  and  I  informed  him  that  every- 
thing  was  now  amicably  arranged  between  Kent  and  Forrest 
with  regard  to  himself,  and  that  himself  and  his  now  master 
wore  going  upon  tho  morrow  to  set  off  for  the  North,  and  I  also 
impressed  it  upon  his  mind,  although  it  was,  I  believe,  unneces- 
sary, that  he  must  see  Forrest  as  .soon  as  possible,  and  try  and 
get  him  to  come  to  a  settlement.  I  told  him  to  see  him  in  his 
sleeping-chamber  as  soon  as  was  practicable,  and  demand  of  him 
then  and  there  a  full  settlement,  and  also  to  cause  himself  to  be 
properly  transferred  into  tho  possession  of  a  certain  person  whom 
he  had  chosen  for  his  master.  But  I  cautioned  William,  in  case 
Forrest  would  not  comply  with  his  request,  not  to  mention  me 
as  the  ])erson  to  whom  he  desired  to  be  sold,  and  to  return 
as  quickly  as  possible  and  let  me  know  the  result  of  tho  inter- 
view. 

The  laws  of  the  State  not  permitting  a  negro  to  show  himself 
in  the  streets  after  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  unless  in  posses- 
sion of  a  written  permit  from  his  master,  I  did  not  expect  to  see 
Willian  again  before  the  following  morning,  and  such  proved 
the  case.  He  was  at  my  door  rapping  me  up  as  early  as  seven 
o'clock.  He  informea  me  in  substance  that  Mr.  Forrest  had  re- 
fus£d  positively  to  accede  to  a  single  one  of  his  demands.  "He 
means  bad,  marster  John!  He  tells  me  'twont  do  fur  me  to  hab 
munny,  kase  dey'll  find  it  on  me,  an'  makes  me  tell  where  I  git 
'em.  When  I  tell  'im  I  wants  ter  stay  here  wid  a  gemmen  I 
knows,  ho  say  dat  ar  won't  do— dat  I  must  come  wid  him  to  de 
Norf,  an'  he  set  me  free  when  I  gits  dar,  an'  gib  me  my  part  of 
de  money.  Dat  man  mean  bad,  marster  John,  he  mean  bad 
all  along."  I  was  pretty  well  satisfied  of  it  before,  but  now  I 
was  fully  convinced.    I  had  already  made  up  my  mind  how  I 


488 


WANDEUINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND. 


\ 


iuteiulcd  to  act  in  caso  I  dlscoverod  tluit  ho  was  going  to  pUiy 
tho  !)()>•  false.  I  learned  IVoiu  Wiliianj  that  Forrest  was  at  that 
luoiueut  iu  his  Mloei)ing-r(i()in,  and  a  low  minuto.s'  brisU  walli 
brought  mo  to  his  doniieilt!.*  I  coiuuuinded  William  to  remain 
below  stairs  until  I  should  call  for  him.  Tlio  door  was  opened 
responsive  to  my  knock,  and  Forrest  stood  bc^l'oro  mo,  early  as  it 
was,  completely  dressed.  lie  bade  mo  cnt(!r  and  bo  .seated,  ^Yith 
both  of  which  requests  I  complied.  "You're  up  early  this  moru- 
ing,  Morris,"  ho  remarked,  giving  mo  an  unquiet  look. 

'•Yes,  sir,"  I  rejoined,  "and  Fm  sorry  1  am  compelled  to  dis-  • 
turb  you  at  such  an  hour." 

"Don't  mention  it.  What  can  I  havo  tho  pleasure  of  doing  for 
you?"  ho  incpiired,  taking  a  chair  within  a  few  feet  of  me,  and 
also  sitting  down  upon  it. 

WJnlo  on  my  way  I  had  promised  myself  that  I  would  not  al- 
low my  temper  to  master  me  during  my  coming  interview  with 
Forrest,  but  to  meet  him  in  tho  aamo  friendly  manner  as  former- 
ly, and  in  a  pleasant  way  force  him  to  do  justice  to  tho  boy 
whom  I  beliovod  ho  meant  to  use  so  cruelly.    But  wo  are  gen- 
erally creatures  of  circumstance,  and  it  requires  long  training 
and  much  practice  to  be  able  to  meet  a  person  for  whom  you 
have  conceived  a  sudden  dislike,  in  tho  same  friendly  manner  as 
formerly,  especially  when  one  is  premeditating  an  attack  upon 
him.    The  shrowd-witted  Forrest  in  an  instant  divined  that  my 
presence  in  bis  room  at  this  unwonted  hour  boded  uo  good  to 
himself.    To  his  last  demand  I  replied  in  a  cold  voice,  "I'm  not 
here,  Mr.  Forrest,  to  ask  favors  for  myself,  but  to  demand  that 
you  shall  fulfill  your  contract  with  William  1  Tou  know  what 
that  is!  Give  him  an  equal  division  of  the  money  you  got  from 
Kent,  and  a  transfer  of  himself,  together  with  the  two  bills  of 
sale,  to  whatever  person  he  himself  shall  clioose  to  answer  that 
purpose.    That's  my  business  hero,  Mr.  Forrest,  and  Fra  very 
sorry  to  be  obliged  to  force  you  to  do  so  simple  an  act  of  justice 
to  a  poor  slave,  whom  you  evidoD".y  believed  tongue-tied  by 
dread  of  che  lash." 

Several  moments  after  I  had  concluded  speaking,  he  sat  with- 
out opening  his  lips,  pale  and  speechless.  Tho  blood  came  and 
went  rapidly  in  his  cheeks,  and  he  finally  bounced  to  his  feet 
and  began  to  defend  himself  in  tho  following  incoherent  strain. 
"I  thought  last  night  that  I  was  going  to  have  trouble  with  that 


THE   "NIUUKU"'  GKTS  OUT. 


480 


[V8  going  to  play 
rest  \Vii8  at  that 
ito.s'  brisk  wulis 
illiiim  to  reiuiiiu 
Icior  was  opened 
•0  mo,  early  as  it 
I  1)0  Heated,  ^YitU 
early  this  luoru- 
t  look, 
lompolled  to  dis-  • 

LSiiro  of  doing  for 
!  foot  of  me,  and 

b  I  would  not  al- 
g  iutcrviow  with 
lanuor  as  fornier- 
istico  to  tlio  boy 
But  wo  arc  gen- 
res long  training 
m\  for  whom  you 
iendly  manner  as 
f  an  attack  upon 
;  divined  that  my 
oded  no  good  to 
i  voice,  "I'm  not 
t  to  demand  that 

You  know  what 
ncy  you  got  from 

the  two  bills  of 
se  to  answer  that 
!st,  and  I'm  very 
)  an  act  of  justice 
d  tonguo-tied  by 

king,  ho  sat  with- 
0  blood  came  and 
unced  to  his  feet 
incoherent  strain. 
)  trouble  with  that 


d— n  nigger!  How  could  you  have  believed  such  a  ridiculous  lie 
from  him,  Morri.sf  He's  crazy  struck  alter  a  wench  here,  and 
begged  me  Ibr  an  hour  last  ni-ht  to  either  sell  him  to  hoiuo  per- 
son hero,  or  to  buy  the  wench  anil  take  them  both  along  with  me, 
and  when  1  relused  ho  concocted  this  infernal  lie  to  work  upon 
your  sympathies;  and  1  don't  know  what  other  mischief  ho  may 
have  done  me."  , 

Still  retaining  my  seat,  I  listened  to  this  language  with  all  duo 
courtesy  and  attention,  and  when  I  had  heard  him  to  the  end  I 
re.  icd  coolly,  "That  play  won't  answer  my  purpose,  Mr.  Vor- 
rcst.  I'm  here  for  business,  and  not  disposed  to  stand  any  non- 
sense.  If  you  push  matters,  you'll  find  my  evidence  will  fasten 
upon  you  tho  charg*  of  ni'gro-stcaliug,  and  they  hang  persons 
very  quick  in  this  city  for  stealing  a  slave  from  his  master. 
Let  mo  once  give  Kent  an  inkling  of  this  business,  and  the 
chances  are  that  the  lynchers  will  leave  you  in  tho  piney  woods, 
strung  up  to  a  tree,  instead  of  your  having  fine  times  round  the 
Nortli,  8i)ending  Kent's  money.  Now  I  want  to  know  what 
you're  going  to  do.     And  be  quick  about  it,  too." 

Nothing  at  that  period  created  more  terror  in  the  mind  of  the 
Northerner  living  in  tho  South,  than  the  thought  of  being  in  any 
way  implicated  in  anything  like  a  negro  conspiracy,  or  entering 
into  any  collusion  with  them,  or  in  any  way  assisting  them  to 
escape  from  their  masters ;  and  in  no  city  in  tho  whole  South 
were  such  oirenses  punished  more  surely  and  speedily  than  in  and 
around  ilobile.  Not  only  had  the  lynchers,  during  the  winter, 
sent  several  individuals  to  their  long  homes  with  a  short  shrift 
and  a  long  rope,  for  such  offenses,  but  one  had  a  few  weeks  since 
been  hanged  by  order  of  tho  constituted  authorities  of  tho  city 
of  Mobile.  These  facts  being  well  known  to  Forrest,  ray  threats 
were  by  no  means  lost  upon  him,  and  he  felt  anything  but  com- 
fortable under  them.  With  bloodless  cheek  and  quivering  lip  he 
dep'ocated  my  anger,  and  assured  me  that  ho  had  not  tho  remot- 
est idea  of  wronging  the  boy :  that  ho  had  always  intended  tak- 
ing him  with  him  to  the  North,  freeing  him,  anil  there  handing 
over  to  him  his  lawful  ph.:-  3  of  the  spoils ;  and  that  only  the  fear 
ofsome  difficulty  with  lent,  or  tho  arrest  of  William  with  the 
money  upon  his  person,  luid  prevented  him  from  fulfilling  the 
original  compact,  when  he  was  desired  by  the  boy  to  do  so. 
"  Had  you  told  me,  Morris,"  with  a  persuasive  smile,  "  that  you 


atewtal 


'J!  If) 


WAXDERINfiS  OF  A  V.VflAKOXD. 


Know  about  tho  mattor,  it  would  liavo  Ih'cii  all  rJKlit,  for  I  was 
iiioro  scared  of  your  '  ilropi)!!)!,' '  on  tho  gauio  than  I  was  of  old 
Kent;  and  ycsti'iday,  when  you  talked  to  mo  in  the  manner  yon 
dill  alxinl  .selling;  the  boy  in  New  OrieaiiH,  I  couldn't  make  out 
what  in  tlie  world  yon  were  (U-iviny;  at,  and  was  afraid  you  sus- 
pected that  Hometliinjj  was  wroiiLj,  and  I  was  dotermiucd  not  to 
"bo  caught  in  a  trap,  but  to  bo  on  tiie  safe  side." 

"Well,"  I  asked,  "are  you  wllliny  to  fullill  your  contract 
nowt" 

"Of  course  I  ami  But  I  dou't  want  you,  nor  tho  boy  cither, 
to  think  I  ever  had  any  iutcutiou  of  uctintj  diabouorably  in  the 
matter." 

But  I  did  think  so,  and  was  llrnily  conviucort  in  my  own 
mind  that  such  had  boon  his  intention.  However,  it  was  policy 
for  mo  to  make  him  think  otherwise,  so  I  merely  said,  "  Excuse 
me.  Air.  Forrest,  if  I  have  wronged  you  in  this  matter.  I  was 
induced  by  all  the  circumstances  of  tlio  case  to  believe  it  was 
your  (Ixed  intention  to  rob  the  boy  and  sell  him  back  Into  sla- 
very, immcdiatoly  upon  reaching  New  Orleans.  It  was  hard  for 
me  to  believe  you  could  be  guilty  of  so  dastardly  an  act,  and  I 
am  glad  to  linow  that  my  suspicionsAvcro  too  hasty,  and  without 
foundation.  I  shall  now,"  I  added,  "call  in  William,  and  we  will 
arrange  his  business,"  rising  from  my  chair  to  fetch  the  boy, 
who  was  waiting  at  tho  bottom  of  the  stairs.  Forrest  gave  him 
his  money,  and  also  a  flctitious  bill  of  sale  of  himself  to  me,  for 
one  thousand  dollars,  together  with  both  of  tho  other  bills  of 
sale,  all  of  which  ho  handed  over  to  mo  for  safe  keeping.  This 
business  being  finished,  apparently  to  tho  satisfaction  of  all  par- 
ties concerned,  I  ordered  William  to  have  all  our  baggage  packed 
and  ready  for  the  next  steamer  to  New  Orleans,  and  to  be  at  the 
boat  himself  half  an  hour  before  she  started ;  after  which  For- 
rest and  myself  went  to  tho  restaurant  and  had  our  breakfast.  I 
never  let  Forrest  out  of  my  sight  until  we  were  all  together  upon 
the  Now  Orleans  steamer;  and  without  having  bidden  good-by 
to  either  Kent  or  Greene,  I  saw  the  steeples  of  Mobile  fade  into 
dim  distance  for  tho  last  time. 

Tho  next  morning  we  arrived  in  New  Orleans,  and  during  the 
day  I  kept  close  to  Forrest ;  I  had  detected  him  in  committing 
a  dirty  action,  and  persons  who  will  stoop  to  such  things  are 
usually  as  revengeful  as  a  scorned  woman.  An  anonymous  letter 


fr( 

ea 

flt( 

be 

th; 

tie 

kn 

pa 

( 

se^ 

nid 

Itui 

of 

He 

cot 

the 

woi 

i 

she 

pie; 

I  h 

swi 

hav 

aga 

trui 

A 

me;i 

tho 

sma 

sine 

oftc 

villa 

so  V 

befo 

Rlav( 

bvF 

tardi 

to  bi 

comr 

kind 


D. 

1  riRlit,  for  I  was 
tliiui  I  Wiis  of  old 
in  tlu>  milliner  you 
iiiiUlirt  UKiko  out 
iH  alViiid  you  sus- 
iloteruiiucd  not  to 

[ill  your  contract 

ir  the  boy  either, 
ahouonibly  in  the 

ucod  in  my  own 
I'or,  it  was  policy 
'lysaid,  "Excuse 
8  matter.  I  was 
to  believe  it  was 
iui  back  into  sla- 
It  was  hard  for 
•dly  an  act,  and  I 
asty,  and  witliout 
illiani,  and  wo  will 
to  fetch  the  boy, 
Forrest  gave  him 
liimself  to  me,  for 
the  other  bills  of 

0  keeping.  This 
'action  of  all  par- 
r  baggage  packed 
,  and  to  bo  at  the 
after  which  For- 

1  our  breakfast.  I 
all  together  upon 
J  bidden  good-by 

Mobile  fade  into 

h  and  during  the 
m  in  committing 
>  such  things  are 
anonymous  letter 


THE   "NKJOEU"  CKTS  OCT. 


401 


from  him  to  the  Chief  of  Pol mJMi.i  ^t  that  peri..d  h;kve  ei.sjiv 

caused  tlie  arrest  ..r  Willlaiuand  iii\.;eir,  on  tlieeiiai liiat  I  was 

fltealmg  the  l)oy,  and  nii-liL  have  glvn  m  eon.sjdera tnmi.lo 

bH(Me  we  cuM  have  p'tfn  releas..,!.  1  l,ad  n„  LHn-r  reas.Mi 
than  mere  s.ispieion  for  l)elieving  liim  capal)lo  of  ho  mean  an  ae- 
tinn,  luit  I  thou«lit  best  to  1.0  (m  tlie  .safe  Hide.  Wiih.mt  his 
knowledge,  Williaui  and  myself  were  that  evening  lunoug  tlie 
l.assengers  of  tlie  "  Diana,"  hound  for  Louisville. 

On  our  arrival  in  Cincinnati  I  can.— "  William  to  lie  put  in  pos- 
session of  tlie  ivipiLsito  IVec  papers,  and  also  ],ande.l  over  his 
money  to  liim;  and  at  Ids  re(iuest  went  to  Paris,  iventueky,  and 
purchased  his  mother  for  live  hundred  and  llflv  dollars,  wjiowas 

0  course  also  uiiinedjately  set  free  on  her  arrival  iu  Cincinnati. 
Ucrsou  houglit  and  furnished,  for  the  use  of  both,  a  comlortahlo 
cottage,  and  slioued  hiniself,  i,i  alter  years,  entiirlv  wortliy  of 
tlio  boon  of  freedom,  by  his  .sober  and  industrious  h.'ibits,  which 
won  him  the  re^^poet  and  good  opinion  of  all  who  knew  him. 

As  to  l.'onest,  we  never  met  again,  nor  did  I  desire  that  wo 
«lmnld,  lor  our  meeting  could  not  have  been  productive  of  any 
pleasure  to  cither  j.arty.     I  have  .since  .sometimes  regretted  tlia'l: 

1  had  not  made  known  to  him  my  part  in  the  conspiracy  to 
swindle  Ivent  out  of  his  boy  and  his  monev,  for  then  he  would 
have  been  saved  the  mortilit  uion  of  the  charge  whieli  I  brou-ht 
against  liim,and  which  I  have  ever  believed  to  have  beenstric^tlv 
true.  •' 

At  the  time  of  making  the  compact  with  William,  ho  no  doubt 
meant  to  abi.lo  by  the  terms  most  religiously  and  faitlifiilly.   But 
the  amount  of  money  tempted  Ids  avarice.      To  him  it  was  a 
small  lortune,  which  ho  could  retain  without  the  smallest  danger 
since  drca.l  of  the  hush  tied  tho  tongue  of  tlie  only  person  capable 
(.festifying  against  him,  and  forbade  tho  boy  to  denounce  tho 
villain  who  liad  wronged  him.     Then  why  should  he  surrender 
so  valuable  a  prize  to  a  nigger?  'Twas  trulv  but  casting  pearls 
before  swine!  Besides,  the  boy  was  a  great  sight  better  offin 
slavery.    Such  were  doubtless  some  of  the  nice  arguments  used 
by  P  orrest  to  quiet  his  conscience,  and  to  reconcile  it  to  the  das- 
tardly act  which  he  was  about  to  commit ;  alwavssupposino-  him 
to  have  been  encumbered  with  such  a  commoditv.    Thousands 
conimit  similar  actions  daily;  not  because  the  majority  of  mnn- 
Kind  are  inherently  vicious;  but  because  they  are  vanquished  by 


490 


WANDRRIN09  OK  A  VAGABOND. 


some  Dowerful  ti'mi)tatit)ii.  On  tho  contrary,  but  a  very  amall 
minority  are  utterly  (l('|)ravc(l;  but  tlio  bt'Ht-bulancca  minds  aro 
at  tinu'8  tumptcd  to  divcrKO  from  tlie  patby  of  bonor,  and  sncU 
will  not  ccaHoto  bo  tbo  case,  ho  Iouk  as  gain  continues  to  bo  tbc 
cbiof  purmiit  of  mankind.  Scbillor  lulls  us  tbat  tboro  bavo  been 
In  bis  life  porlodH  wlion  bo  wascapabloof  conunittin«  any  crimo. 
In  that  respect  bo  was  not  oiio  whit  worse  than  tho  majority  of 
numkind,  and  anions  those  may  bo  ranked  myriads  who  preacb 
morality,  and  assunio  tbo  saintly  Karb  of  virtue. 

Slavery  became  so  denioralizinj,'  to  tho  Houtb,  tbat  noRroes 
camo  to  bo  considered  beyond  tbo  pido  of  justice.  Kvon  those 
bearing  upon  their  person  free  papers  bad  no  rlKbfs  which  were 
respected  by  tho  whitea,  unless  protectctl  by  powerful  patrons. 
Uundreds  of  tbo  free  noHrocs  coming  into  tho  southern  ports 
wore  kidnapped  and  sold  into  bondage.  In  Now  Orleans,  more 
especially,  was  this  business  carried  on  to  a  fearful  extent. 
Servants  wtre  decoyed  from  .ships  and  Bteamcrs,  robbed  of  their 
free  papers,  when  thoy  would  bo  conveyed  to  some  of  tho  plan- 
tations aloUR  tbo  coast,  and  there  forced  to  work  under  tbo  lash. 

About  fifty  of  these  unfortunates  were  worked  on  a  sugar  plan- 
tation up  the  river,  owned  by  an  American  named  I'olndexter, 
about  sixty  miles  from  Now  Orleans.  In  this  fellow  tbo  crimps 
of  tbat  city  found  a  ready  purchaser  for  their  stolen  chattels. 

These  outrages  wore  well  known  to  tbo  authorities  of  New  Or- 
leans; thoy  were  public  talk  upon  the  streets,  and  within  tho 
knowledge  of  law-makers,  magistrates,  and  members  of  tho 
gospel;  yet  were  never  denounced  upon  the  forum,  in  tho  pulpit, 
or  by  the  fAibllc  press  of  tbo  city.  Not  a  single  voice  was  raised 
In  favor  of  restoring  these  outraged  human  beings  to  their  right- 
ful liberty,    All  sense  of  justice  to  tbom  was  smothered. 


"WILL    SHORTLY    APPEAE, 

A  »Egci;i.  TO 

"WANDERINGS  OF  A  VAGABOND." 


'^ 


'hP 


y,  but  a  very  anmll 
Iniiaiiced  minds  aro 

of  honor,  and  such 

continues  to  bo  tbc 
bat  thcro  bavo  been 
inniittin«  any  crinio. 
than  the  niiijority  (»f 
myriads  who  preach 
tuo. 

South,  that  ncRroes 
iiistlco.  Kven  those 
10  riKbta  which  were 
»y  powerful  patrons. 

the  southern  ports 
I  Now  Orleans,  nioro 
to  a  fearful  extent, 
iicrs,  robbed  of  their 
to  sonio  of  the  plan- 
work  under  the  lash, 
ked  on  a  sugar  plan- 
1  named  I'oindexter, 
his  fellow  the  crimps 
ir  stolen  chattels, 
iithorities  of  New  Gr- 
eets, and  within  the 
nd  ineml)er8  of  the 

forum,  in  the  pulpit, 
nglo  voice  was  raised 

beinj,'s  to  their  rlght- 
9  smothered. 


EAR, 


^GABOND." 


